Germinal

By: Émile Zola

Narrated by: Leighton Pugh

Length: 19 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Germinal is one of the most striking novels in the French tradition. Widely regarded as Zola's masterpiece, the novel describes the working conditions of French coalminers in the 1860s in harsh and realistic terms. It is visceral, graphic, and unrelenting. Its strong socialist principles and vivid accounts of the miners' strikes meant that the novel became a key symbol in the workers' fight against oppression, with chants of "Germinal! Germinal!" resonating high above the author's funeral.

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Public Domain (P)2015 Naxos AudioBooks

Good reading of a great 19th Century novel

Would you listen to Germinal again? Why?

This is great novel that seems to be virtually unknown to American readers. It is both a vivid and convincing account of the everyday lives of miners, as told from within, and the tale of a heroic, doomed strike and a catastrophic mine disaster. Although it is quite long, it is beautifully written, full of complex and engaging characters, and carries the reader forward with great momentum. In this production, it is well read. Among other things, the reader handles the French names comfortably.

What other book might you compare Germinal to and why?

I can think of no 19th Century novel in English that is comparable. It delves more deeply into the texture of everyday lives of working class men and women then anything by Dickens and with fewer illusions. It treats sex, both good sex and bad sex, simply as another fact of the lives of the characters without either euphemisms (other than those used by characters themselves) or prurience. There are no artificial happy endings, but the novel is not dreary.

Outstanding Narration and Content

It has been a long time since I enjoyed a story as much as this one.

Deeply moving and dramatic tale read by a phenomenal narrator

A wonderfully narrated version of Zola's intense political and personal drama about French miners, the mine owners and a growing workers' revolution.

Excellent reading of a French classic

This has been a favorite novel for many years. I have read it at least three times, and am now enjoying an excellent rendition by Leighton Pugh (as is true of most Naxos audiobooks, the production is first class). The story centers around the plight of the working class (here, coal miners) of northern France in the second half of the nineteenth century. Zola details their squalid living conditions, inadequate pay, and dangerous work. But the book is not propaganda. Although the owners tend to be selfish, smug, and lacking insight into the workers’ inescapable poverty under the capitalism of that time, Zola never demonizes them. Neither are the workers’ faults ignored. Love, violence, revenge, and sabotage all come into play. The book is probably the best-known and certainly one of the best of the 20-volume Rougon-Macquart series.

A stark comparison

I wish now that I listened to this book when I purchased it years ago. This book is not to be missed.

Vivid story

Wonderfully depicted gritty long suffering (fictional)individuals tell story of Workers of the world unite and foretell the Russian revolution of 1917

A masterwork

I’ve read this book over and over and it never fails to haunt. The miserable conditions of this coal mining village are fascinating in their dreadfulness and the strike to improve their lot is inspiring and heartbreaking. Zola’s attention to detail is astounding. From the first sentence to the last you are their for the journey.

Outstanding!!!!

I read germinal in college and listening to it again some 45 years later I can see why I liked it so much. The writing is the best and the story haunting and compelling.

well performed

this is a masterful performance of Zola's utterly depressing tale of the plight of French coal miners in the Second empire. Best audiobook I've ever read.

Incredible Novel—WOW!

This was my first Zola novel and its one of the best books I ever read/listened to. But be warned, it is also hands down the darkest, bleakest novel I ever read! Loved it!