Fruitfulness - A Naturalistic Tale of Social Class Morality and Inheritance in 19th Century France

Emile Zola

Summary

In "Fruitfulness," √âmile Zola delves into the intricate world of human relationships, economy, and the generative power of life itself. This novel employs Zola's characteristic naturalism, intertwining vivid descriptions with a focus on the societal forces at play during the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of a post-industrial France, the narrative explores themes of fertility, production, and the moral complexities inherent in the pursuit of wealth and stability. Zola's meticulous attention to detail, combined with his unflinching examination of human motivations, creates a rich tapestry of interconnected lives and ambitions. Zola, a pivotal figure in the literary movement of naturalism, was influenced by his own experiences with the social challenges of his time. His deep concern for the working class and fascination with the interplay between environment and character shaped his writing. "Fruitfulness" stands as a testament to his belief that the essence of life can be scrutinized like a scientific experiment, revealing the often harsh realities faced by individuals striving for a better life while grappling with societal expectations. I highly recommend "Fruitfulness" to readers interested in the complexities of human nature and the societal factors that shape our lives. Zola's unparalleled narrative style, woven with his philosophical insights, provides not only an engaging story but also a profound commentary on the human condition, making it a significant read for both literature enthusiasts and students of sociology.

Available since: 11/29/2019.

Print length: 444 pages.

Other books that might interest you

The Treasure of the Lake

H. Rider Haggard

Gentleman adventurer Allan Quartermain discovers a strange African village in this 1926 novel by the author of King Solomon’s Mines.An Englishman living in South Africa, Allan Quartermain has spent his life exploring the mysteries of the Dark Continent. When he hears the legend of a lost tribe ruled by a magical priestess, he goes in search of a remote holy lake surrounded by tall cliffs. Together with his companion Hans, Allan discovers a land and a people even more peculiar than the legend describes. Published posthumously in 1926, The Treasure of the Lake is one of the last Allan Quartermain novels written by H. Rider Haggard. Set in the Victorian era, it is a quintessential tale of colonial adventure.

Show book

The Ivory Child

H. Rider Haggard

The timeless adventure featuring explorer Allan Quatermain, the inspiration for Indiana Jones, from one of the first authors of the “Lost World” genre.  The Ivory Child is a novel by H. Rider Haggard featuring Allan Quatermain—explorer, treasure hunter, and adventurer. In one of his strangest undertakings yet, Quatermain finds himself in the throes of a war between two African tribes, one of them led by an evil spirit that resides in the body of a gigantic elephant.   Two foreigners, Harût and Marût, call upon Quatermain by the name he uses among the Africans: Macumazana. They are convinced by divination that only Quatermain can defeat the elephant god and save Africa from an epic battle destined to plunge the continent into chaos . . .

Show book

The Yellow God - An Idol of Africa

H. Rider Haggard

A former British Army major voyages to West Africa to discover a lost city of gold in this adventure novel by the author of King Solomon’s Mines.Since a bout of blackwater fever robbed Maj. Alan Vernon of his military post, he has cast about for a new vocation. A business scheme in the Sahara seems like the perfect fit for his engineering skills, until revelations about his partners give him pause. To save his family estate, Vernon decides to undertake his African venture on his own.Years ago, Vernon’s uncle brought a small golden idol back from Western Africa. The idol itself is worth little, but its strange powers will lead Vernon on a perilous journey to a world of riches. And there he will meet a beautiful but fearsome tribal ruler who is determined to make him her next husband.

Show book

Mosquitoes

William Faulkner

One of Faulkner’s most controversial novels!      A lesser-known but compelling novel from the author of Absalom, Absalom! and The Sound and the Fury.      Have you ever wondered what speaks to the tortured soul of an artist? What would it be like to be stuck on a yacht with only the musings of the world and a group of artists as your company?      In the heat of the late Louisiana summer, Faulkner brings us a story of artistry that examines the thoughts and actions of Southern bohemians who have nothing to interrupt them but the hum and fire of the mosquitoes that surround them. “Faulkner’s message is clear: We are the mosquitoes, and the mosquitoes are us.”—Rein Fartel, “Twentieth Century Millennial: Revisiting Faulkner’s Mosquitoes.”       With a foreword by Carl Rollyson, a renowned biographer of Faulkner and other eminent authors, this fine new edition works to highlight the “Louisiana Faulkner,” the Faulkner before fame, and his thoughts on the lives of Southern artists.

Show book

The Virgin of the Sun

H. Rider Haggard

In this swashbuckling tale of medieval adventure, an English fisherman lost at sea finds romance, intrigue, and war among the peoples of Peru.While exploring the jumble of curiosities at the home of an eccentric antiquarian, an editor discovers a collection of letters dating back to the era of King Richard II. These letters recount the incredible life story of one Hubert of Hastings, a fisherman turned London goldsmith whose turbulent fortunes brought him to a strange new land that would become his home. Shortly after a whirlwind wedding, Hubert finds himself both widowed and framed for murder. Together with his old friend Kari, he escapes by ship, only to be storm-tossed across the Atlantic. Undertaking a voyage to Kari’s homeland along the Pacific coast, they hope to finally find peace. Instead they find a brewing war between the Chancas and the Incas, and Hubert finds an unattainable love that could change the course of history.

Show book

His Last Bow - The Adventures of...

Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's His Last Bow is a collection of short stories that follow the life of Sherlock Holmes in the years leading up to World War I. In the story, Holmes is forced out of retirement to help the British government catch a German spy. The story is full of complex academic jargon and is considered to be one of Doyle's most difficult works to read.

Show book