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cunningba's review against another edition
4.0
Quite the first novel from Zola!
I've been reading early novels from many authors complete collections of their works. Frequently the early works of famous authors are a struggle. I was pleased to find that this was engrossing from the start.
The story is perhaps a bit tawdry, but the narrator's voice is raw and compelling, his descriptions, evocative. At times I was reminded of Poe, Dostoevsky, Lovecraft, Huysmans, Tolstoy, and, of course, La Bohème.
Since the narrator is 20 years old, the over-the-top style of narration, while at times a bit irritating, did not seem out of character.
I've been reading early novels from many authors complete collections of their works. Frequently the early works of famous authors are a struggle. I was pleased to find that this was engrossing from the start.
The story is perhaps a bit tawdry, but the narrator's voice is raw and compelling, his descriptions, evocative. At times I was reminded of Poe, Dostoevsky, Lovecraft, Huysmans, Tolstoy, and, of course, La Bohème.
Since the narrator is 20 years old, the over-the-top style of narration, while at times a bit irritating, did not seem out of character.
jonahtriestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Hilariously indulgent. Every page is dowsed in the most elegant prose.
61dccain's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating first novel insight into a great novelist. Lots of early ideas fermenting in this sad, strange tale of unhappy love.
jgwc54e5's review against another edition
3.0
A man contemplates love amid immense poverty in Paris. Strangely readable but not sure what he wanted to say. Zola’s first novel .
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