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wraithlike's review against another edition
I read that this was about the fall of the Paris commune. While it seems to happen in the background, most of the book takes place on the battle field. I just couldn't make myself care about any of it. I enjoyed Germinal a lot, I'm sad it wasn't the case for this one.
retrophrenologist's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
browngirlreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, War, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Medical content, and Violence
ruby_mae_read's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Death, and War
lindseysparks's review against another edition
4.0
This brought the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune of 1870-71 to life. Like most war novels, it shows the horror of war and how pointless they usually are. The soldiers march to one area only to be told to march back. They go hungry and kill for reasons they don't understand. And they lose. No wonder so many soldiers turned on their government at the end of the war. They went through horrors only to return home to starve. After this war, France is never the same. Germany unites and becomes the strongest country in Europe. At the Invalides Army Museum in Paris, the WWI exhibit starts with this war. France was so weakened after this war, it's no wonder they needed help during WWII, and then in WWII.
dbstandsfor's review
challenging
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Gore, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, and Murder
peter_fischer's review against another edition
5.0
This is the ultimate book about the evil and senseless futility of war. It is set during the Franco-Prussian war and the Paris Commune following France’s humiliating defeat. The book describes in graphic detail, from the viewpoint of ordinary soldiers, the brutality of war, especially in the second part, which is about the battle of Sedan.
borealis85's review against another edition
3.0
A powerfull novel about war. Zola puts together a plot with fantastical coincidences. One which is very stereotypical, everything happening in the right order much like in modern day soap-opera.
Nonetheless, the historical events and battles are real. Zola describes the distruction of the war and the destroyed battlefields very vividly. The annoyance of the French over Prussia getting stronger comes trough vividly as does the shock of the invincibly advancing german coalition and the ultimate capitulation. This was not supposed to happen it was afterall just 2 generations ago as the French themselves ran over the then small german states. The whole French perception of the world was centered around past heroics and nationalism and now this capitulation.. Unfortunately it took a couple of more wars to abandon those sentiments on both sides.
Ps. This is the first Rougon-Macquart series book I remember ever to have read and allthough this is supposed to be read second to last, this book stands on its own.
Nonetheless, the historical events and battles are real. Zola describes the distruction of the war and the destroyed battlefields very vividly. The annoyance of the French over Prussia getting stronger comes trough vividly as does the shock of the invincibly advancing german coalition and the ultimate capitulation. This was not supposed to happen it was afterall just 2 generations ago as the French themselves ran over the then small german states. The whole French perception of the world was centered around past heroics and nationalism and now this capitulation.. Unfortunately it took a couple of more wars to abandon those sentiments on both sides.
Ps. This is the first Rougon-Macquart series book I remember ever to have read and allthough this is supposed to be read second to last, this book stands on its own.
blueyorkie's review against another edition
5.0
This Rougon-Macquart tome deals with the war, particularly the Franco-Prussian war of the 1870s, which ended the Second Empire. Zola tells in detail the lives of soldiers who lived through the humiliation of the French troops' defeat. We see in the details the arduous march of untrained soldiers against the well-oiled machine of future Germany. The author highlights the descriptions of injuries, ambitions and all kinds of illnesses and mutilations. This work is the best war book I have had the chance to read. All heads of state should read this book before sending our poor soldiers to unnecessary wars.