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ichirofakename's review against another edition
2.0
For completists (like me) only. Very slight, likely juvenalia, or senilia. It's been a while, but I don't recall Zola anywhere else using 1st person narration. Reminiscent of actual Zola. Despite my recent conclusion that translation of straightforward prose between similar languages is not a problem, I do wonder about this particular translation. I can't remember reading Zola in English, though presumably I read a volume or two before '93. Stilted.
franderochefort's review against another edition
2.0
Depressing naturalist short story with clear and vivid writing that recreates the tragic situation (based on a real life flood in the region) well, though it's decidedly a slight and minor work in the grander Zola corpus.
choukou's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Made me ugly cry during the last paragraph. A fast, emotional read that takes you from hopeful happiness to utter devastation in less than half an hour.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
This novella takes the reader from the height of joy to the depth of sorrow in under an hour. Based on around a real event (Toulouse, France, in June of 1875), this tells the story of a flood that wipes out a farm and a future in the hours of darkness in one night.
First published in 1880 and freely available, this is worth the hour or less it will take to read. A leading thinker and public figure, Émile Zola wrote many articles, essays and a few novels, and is perhaps best known for "J'accuse...!", which publicized the Dreyfus Affair and divided France.
First published in 1880 and freely available, this is worth the hour or less it will take to read. A leading thinker and public figure, Émile Zola wrote many articles, essays and a few novels, and is perhaps best known for "J'accuse...!", which publicized the Dreyfus Affair and divided France.
sinelce's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first, momentary foray into the foremost pioneer of literary naturalism. Lucid and balanced, this brilliantly translated volume contains three captivating yet highly unpretentious short stories (two of which - the titular tale, an extremely prescient eco-horror story, the other an interesting cross between an anti-war battlefield tale and a surrealist, deeply macabre re-run of Les-Trois-Petita-Cochons with biblical proportions - constitute something of a stylistic departure, or so the translator believes).
The third and final tale is historical fiction precisely as it should be: lean and immersive.
Easily three of the finest short stories I’ve ever read. No one weaves allegory quite like Zola.
The third and final tale is historical fiction precisely as it should be: lean and immersive.
Easily three of the finest short stories I’ve ever read. No one weaves allegory quite like Zola.
habibaaibrahim's review against another edition
5.0
This is a short one. Yet thrilling, dark with elements of happiness. It was depressing and sad but I loved it so much.
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