Germinal cover art

Germinal

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Germinal

By: Émile Zola
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
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About this listen

Germinal is one of the most striking novels in the French tradition. Widely regarded as Zola's masterpiece, the novel describes the working conditions of French coalminers in the 1860s in harsh and realistic terms. It is visceral, graphic, and unrelenting. Its strong socialist principles and vivid accounts of the miners' strikes meant that the novel became a key symbol in the workers' fight against oppression, with chants of "Germinal! Germinal!" resonating high above the author's funeral.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2015 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Fiction Historical Fiction Soviet Union Socialism

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All stars
Most relevant
Exceptional story of incredibly tragic but uplifting struggle for survival of the oppressed classes contrasted with the bourgeoisie. Very well read

Heartbreaking

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My goodness, can anyone capture despair and hardship like Zola? Think Wigan Pier or Hard Times, the themes of morality and responsibility woven through industrial progress and basic human nature. It is a gripping read, often and quite deservedly named a masterpiece of literature.

Bleak and thought-provoking

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A real potboiler but with intelligence and heart like a great silent movie. Fantastic novel!

A great, bleak,hopeful masterpiece.

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I have to say that I was deeply impressed by this audio book. Zola is an outstanding author and certainly worthy of his reputation but the narrator here also really captures the mood, different character personalities and the whole tone of Zola’s seminal work.. I have recommended it to others without reservation.

Germinal review

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amazing story, I loved the narration too. Really enjoyed this audio and highly recommend

Epic

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