Nana (Penguin Classics)

by Émile Zola
Nana (Penguin Classics)  
published September 30th 1972 by Penguin Classics
first published 2002
binding Paperback
isbn 0140442634   (isbn13: 9780140442632)
pages 480
description Nana opens in 1867, the year of the World Fair, when Paris, thronged by a cosmopolitan elite, was a perfect target for Zola's scathing denunciation of...more
date added
03-25-07



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theduckthief
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for: people who liked "Lorna Doone"
"Everyone has been harassing me with Nana ever since this morning. I've met over twenty people and it's been nothing but Nana this and Nana that! How should I know anything about her? Do you think I know every girl in Paris? Nana is one of Bordenave's discoveries. She must be something magnificent!" - page 2

The Good:

Nana is the discovery of Bordenave, manager of the Variety Theatre and plays the role of Venus in the operetta "La belle Helene". She...more
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Jeff
04/13/08

Read in April, 2008
recommended to Jeff by: Ryan Chaffee
zola describe the "philosophical subject" of _nana_ as "a whole society rushing to get sex," and for the first hundred pages the book is exactly that simple in its Second Empire moral muckraking and denunciation of upper-class hypocrisy; the women, regardless of their occupation (though most are idle rich or actresses), are quite literally prostitutes, sleeping with rich men in exchange for gifts, money, estates, etc., while their husbands not only acquiesce but operate as vi...more
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Abailart
bookshelves: fiction
Read in June, 2008
Joy unlimited. A long, long time ago my kindly Headmaster recommended I broaden my reading prior to university, and gave me Germinal. I read it somewhat dutifully and marked as done, a knowledge of Zola. Now, man years later, I can read at last. And this book that has been staring from my shelf for years has bombed me out. Nana is a carbonated torrent of the most high speed and energetic writing I have come across. Decay, decadence, death, power, class, cruelty, the brilliant equation of the mus...more
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Cassiel
bookshelves: 03-08, classic
My curiosity is now satisfied, and I doubt that I will ever read another book by Zola.

Even given the Victorian era in which the book was written, the obsession with morality is surprising.

As long as he remains an observer and recorder, Zola's writing is impressive; evocative descriptions of 19th century Paris and the people of its underworld. The instant he lets his prejudices show, the writing deteriorates into diatribes about the holy penis vs. the diabolical vagina.

Whereas Anna ...more
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Elissa
06/03/08

bookshelves: currently-reading
So far it reminds me of Anna Karenina. The plot wavers from the actual account of Nana herself to various affairs and the comings and goings of what seem to be minor characters.
The visual and audio descriptions of the opera house and various other settings, however, are entrancing.
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ace
06/17/08

Read in June, 2008
This is a very important book, but rather over the top, intensifying as it goes on. Nana rises from the gutters to wreak (sexy) revenge on the rich and empowered men of France for the unconscious grudge of her ancestors. This was my second time reading it.
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sanaz
05/11/07

bookshelves: novel
a wonderful book. how a woman ( like nana) live. how many hearts she break! how many men, accept the death instead of losing her in duels!!! what a great life!!! and how she die, alone without any lover!!!
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Hilary
04/30/08

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in April, 2008
While difficult to get into, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book. The extravagance and debauchery of the period make it like reading a tabloid from that era. It was good enough that I will read Zola!
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Trajan
08/07/07

Read in July, 2007
recommends it for: folks who like Zola
I enjoyed this more than Germinal, which was simpy to depressing for my particular taste. Great writing, of course, but not as timeless as some of his other books. Also, can be a bit thick at times.
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Lily
03/18/07

Read in September, 2006
A realist approach to the decadence of the 19th century Parisian society. Good comparative study to realist/modernist French paintings.
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Mo
03/21/08

I have a gorgeous old copy of this book with titillating cutout drawings of women and men in silhouette in suggestive poses.
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Adam
Adam rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/20/08

recommended to Adam by: my friend Douglas
recommends it for: Anyone into French lit
MUST READ!!! I've read this book several times and laugh out load every time. I just love the way Zola describes Nana!
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Molly
03/07/08

quite the warning to anyone thinking of taking up the life of a courtesan. the last page is a winner.
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Geoffrey
More a series of loosely-connected vignettes than a novel. But they're really, really good vignettes.
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Amanda
11/25/07

Trying to get through this one...is a bit tedious...not as exciting as some of Zola's others...
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Anjuli
12/12/07

A lovely introduction to prostitutes and courtesans in late 19th century France.
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Miranda
Read in April, 2008
Woman devolves into utter monster by the end of Zola's novel. Yikes.
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Elisabeth
bookshelves: currently-reading
I love Zola -- great to read before drifting off to sleep.
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Alice
05/05/08

Zola kind of really didn't like the ladies, did he?
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Irmgard
bookshelves: to-read
Read in January, 1975
recommends it for: all
It's a sad story with many thoughts about a life.
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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.81 (453 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.86 (92 ratings)
number of reviews: 33






other editions

Nana (Paperback)
Nana (Poche)
Nana (Broché)