Author Description
'He Thought He Could See, In A Flash, The Future Of The Rougon-macquart Family, A Pack Of Wild Satiated Appetites In The Midst Of A Blaze Of Gold And Blood.' Set In The Fictitious Provençal Town Of Plassans, The Fortune Of The Rougons Tells The Story Of Silvère And Miette, Two Idealistic Young Supporters Of The Republican Resistance To Louis-napoleon Bonaparte's Coup D'état In December 1851. They Join The Woodcutters And Peasants Of The Var To Seize Control Of Plassans, Opposed By The Bonapartist Loyalists Led By Silvère's Uncle, Pierre Rougon. Meanwhile, The Foundations Of The Rougon Family And Its Illegitimate Macquart Branch Are Being Laid In The Brutal Beginnings Of The Imperial Regime. The Fortune Of The Rougons Is The First In Zola's Famous Rougon-macquart Series Of Novels. In It We Learn How The Two Branches Of The Family Came About, And The Origins Of The Hereditary Weaknesses Passed Down The Generations. Murder, Treachery, And Greed Are The Keynotes, And Just As The Empire Was Established Through Violence, The 'fortune' Of The Rougons Is Paid For In Blood. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The narrative centers on the violent birth of the Second French Empire and the concurrent rise of the opportunistic Rougon family amidst a local insurrection. Silvère and Miette, two idealistic youths, align themselves with the republican resistance against Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état in 1851. Their objective to secure Plassans for the republicans is thwarted by the calculated machinations of Pierre Rougon, who maneuvers to align his family with the new imperial power. The narrative framework utilizes a sweeping, panoramic perspective to document the intersection of personal ambition and national political upheaval.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Detailed exploration of hereditary traits and environmental influence on character development
- Vivid depiction of the 1851 coup d'état in a provincial setting
- Contrast between the idealism of youth and the cynicism of political opportunism
- Multi-generational scope establishing the Rougon-Macquart family tree
- Naturalistic prose style emphasizing the physical and social conditions of the era
- Integration of historical events with fictional character arcs
- Examination of greed and treachery as catalysts for social mobility
- Structural focus on the origins of systemic corruption within the regime
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently identify this work as a foundational entry in Zola's ambitious cycle, noting its effectiveness in establishing the biological and social themes that persist throughout the series. Discussion often centers on the stark contrast between the romanticized idealism of the young protagonists and the cold, calculated pragmatism of the Rougon family patriarch. Critics highlight the author's meticulous attention to the socio-political climate of the mid-nineteenth century, which provides a dense, atmospheric backdrop for the unfolding drama. Many readers appreciate the clinical, almost scientific approach to character study, which serves to ground the narrative in a sense of historical inevitability. The pacing is often described as deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of the motivations that drive the characters toward their respective fates.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
2012-01-01
ISBN-10:
019162912X
ISBN-13:
9780191629129
Historical Fiction
Fiction
Classic Literature
Political fiction
French literature
REALISM
Community Tags
More from Les Rougon-Macquart
