Germinal by Émile Zola
Germinal

Émile Zola

538 pages first pub 1885 (editions)

fiction classics literary emotional reflective sad slow-paced
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Germinal by Émile Zola is a powerful and provocative novel that is a perfect fit for readers who are passionate about social justice, the struggles of the working class, and the human cost of capitalism, and who are looking for a rich and immersive literary experience that explores the complexities of everyday relationships and the call for freedom from oppression.

Description

With flawless construction and impeccable detail, Germinal chronicles the conflicts, lusts, and deprivation of life in the coal fields of nineteenth-century France. A father and three of seven children work brutal hours, facing such hazards as lan...

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Community Reviews

4.02
based on 1,748 reviews

Moods

dark: 74%

sad: 72%

emotional: 59%

tense: 53%

reflective: 50%

challenging: 42%

informative: 31%

inspiring: 12%

adventurous: 10%

hopeful: 9%

mysterious: 2%

funny: 1%


Pace

3% of readers chose fast
40% of readers chose medium
56% of readers chose slow
fast
medium
slow

Plot or character driven?

17% of readers chose Plot
64% of readers chose A mix
16% of readers chose Character
Plot
A mix
Character

Strong character development?

72% of readers chose Yes
13% of readers chose Complicated
13% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Loveable characters?

33% of readers chose Yes
39% of readers chose Complicated
25% of readers chose No
Yes
Complicated
No

Diverse cast of characters?

28% of readers chose Yes
10% of readers chose Complicated
55% of readers chose No
6% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus?

51% of readers chose Yes
20% of readers chose Complicated
26% of readers chose No
2% of readers chose N/A
Yes
Complicated
No
N/A

Content Warnings

Submitted by users as part of their reviews

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