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55 pages 1 hour read

The Ladies' Paradise

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1883

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Book Brief

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Émile Zola

The Ladies' Paradise

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1883
Book Details
Pages

438

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1860s

Publication Year

1883

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Ladies' Paradise by Émile Zola follows Denise Baudu and her two brothers as they move to Paris and brave financial struggles tied to the rise of a grand department store named The Ladies’ Paradise. Denise faces challenges, including workplace bullying and romantic advances, as she navigates her way through the store's competitive environment and eventually finds love amidst the evolving consumer culture of 19th-century Paris. The source text mentions suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and death.

Informative

Emotional

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.2

18,892 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Émile Zola's The Ladies' Paradise garners praise for its vivid depiction of 19th-century Parisian retail and the birth of modern consumerism. Critics commend its rich characterizations and detailed social commentary. However, some find its pace uneven and the prose occasionally dense. Overall, it is lauded for its insightful and immersive storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Ladies' Paradise?

Fans of Émile Zola's The Ladies' Paradise are likely admirers of classic literature and historical fiction, particularly those fascinated by 19th-century French society and the rise of modern consumer culture. Comparable works include Émile Zola's Nana and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, which similarly delve into themes of social change and individual aspiration.

4.2

18,892 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

438

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Paris, France • 1860s

Publication Year

1883

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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