274 reviews for:

Nana

Émile Zola

3.66 AVERAGE

kajunia's review against another edition

4.5

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

clara_lotte's review against another edition

3.5

dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

zoeezebra's review against another edition

2.5

lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ahsansenan's review against another edition

5.0

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First foray into naturalist literature.

pancakeplant's review against another edition

3.0

lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

marga_runa's review against another edition

2.5

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

bibliophilelinda's review against another edition

4.0

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Nana is the story of an Aphrodite-like seductive actress who ruins men's lives with her charm, greed and thoughtless selfishness. Though a second-rate at best, Nana's beauty captivates her audience and propels her fame. Men lavish gifts, and she becomes the mistress to several married men, but she is always penniless and in debt despite her extravagant lifestyle. In the end, she dies of smallpox and her decayed soul finally shows through her perfect exterior. This is a fabulous tale of the perils to which a soul infected with excess, lust and greed can infest the world around them. The storyline does move rather slowly, but Zola's stories usually take the long route to fruition.

bella_fc's review against another edition

2.0

informative slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The novel may be a reflection of the state of France (aristocracy… as the main image of society) and it’s eventual demise, with the rise of the republic. It opens beautifully, as the descriptions take center stage (art represented with language via artistry). HOWEVER, it becomes very very difficult. As it feels one is reading gossip and rot for the sake of seeing its demise. The loss of beauty, integrity, and even interest. I understand that this book would be a great source of analysis, but it was the least bit enjoyable (probably the point idk).

cissy_'s review against another edition

3.25

reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sarkiste's review against another edition

4.0

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Prvi susret sa Zolom je bio prilično uspešan. Priča o jednom tragičnom životu žene koja se u muškom svetu borila najbolje što može. Dok je istorija pokušavala da od radnica "najstarijeg zanata" napravi samo dno društva, Zola ovoj junakinji daje ljudskost i empatiju. Ona nije lutka koju možeš da kupiš-ona je stvarna. Sjajno delo puno prelepih opisa i drago mi je da sam joj dala šansu.
Jedina mana (i ovo je samo moja lična preferenca) je što su poglavlja bila predugačka. Ja volim više kratkih glava.