Naïs Micoulin

by Émile Zola, Isabelle Siraud (Narrator)

This carefully crafted ebook: "Naïs Micoulin (Unabridged)" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. Naïs Micoulin (1884) was one of Zola's short stories about the trials of a factory worker in what was then the village of L'Estaque and is now administratively part of Marseille. Naïs, the wild child, has grown up into a sensual young lady. Stirred to the depths of his soul, Frederick contemplates his servant and soon, they indulge in caresses. Until Naïs' father swears to kill the man who dared to touch his daughter. Émile Zola (1840 – 1902) was an influential French novelist, the most important example of the literary school of naturalism, and a major figure in the political liberalization of France. More than half of Zola's novels were part of a set of 20 books collectively known as Les Rougon-Macquart. Zola from the start at the age of 28 had thought of the complete layout of the series. Set in France's Second Empire, the series traces the "environmental" influences of violence, alcohol and prostitution which became more prevalent during the second wave of the Industrial Revolution. The series examines two branches of a family: the respectable (that is, legitimate) Rougons and the disreputable (illegitimate) Macquarts for five generations.

Genres: Classics, Short Stories

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1884

About the author

Émile Zola was a prominent French novelist, journalist, and playwright widely regarded as a key figure in the development of literary naturalism. His work profoundly influenced both literature and society through its commitment to depicting reality with scientific objectivity and exploring the impact of environment and heredity on human behavior. Born and raised in France, Zola experienced early personal hardship following the death of his father, which deeply affected his understanding of social and economic struggles—a theme that would later permeate his writings.
Zola began his literary career working as a clerk for a publishing house, where he developed his skills and cultivated a passion for literature. His early novels, such as Thérèse Raquin, gained recognition for their intense psychological insight and frank depiction of human desires and moral conflicts. However, it was his monumental twenty-volume series, Les Rougon-Macquart, that established his lasting reputation. This cycle of novels offered a sweeping examination of life under the Second French Empire, portraying the lives of a family across generations and illustrating how hereditary traits and social conditions shape individuals’ destinies. The series embodies the naturalist commitment to exploring human behavior through a lens informed by emerging scientific thought.
Beyond his literary achievements, Zola was a committed social and political activist. His involvement in the Dreyfus Affair is one of the most notable examples of his dedication to justice. When Captain Alfred Dreyfus was wrongfully accused and convicted of treason, Zola published his famous open letter, J’Accuse…!, which condemned the French military and government for corruption and anti-Semitism. This act of courage led to his prosecution and temporary exile but played a crucial role in eventual justice for Dreyfus and exposed deep divisions in French society.
Zola’s personal life was marked by both stability and complexity. He married Éléonore-Alexandrine Meley, who managed much of his household affairs, and later had a long-term relationship with Jeanne Rozerot, with whom he fathered two children. Throughout his life, Zola remained an incredibly prolific writer, producing not only novels but also essays, plays, and critical works that investigated the intersections between literature, science, and society.
His legacy continues to resonate for its profound impact on literature and for his fearless commitment to social justice. Zola’s work remains essential reading for its rich narrative detail, social critique, and pioneering approach to the realistic portrayal of human life. His role in the Dreyfus Affair stands as a powerful example of the intellectual’s responsibility to speak truth to power.

Reviews

[Chris_P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ναϊς: ***
Ιάκωβος Νταμούρ: ***
Οι τέσσερις εποχές του Γκουρδών: ****

Μια μικρή συλλογή διηγημάτων του Ζολά, που ισορροπούν ανάμεσα στην ευτυχία και την τραγωδία. Αποτυπώνουν, θα έλεγα, το αναπόφευκτο της τύχης, που έρχεται άλλοτε με την μορφή χτυπήματος και άλλοτε με τη μορφή λογικών συνεπειών. Την τελευταία ιστορία την βρήκα εξαιρετική και της αξίζει μια κριτική ξεχωριστή, ενώ τις άλλες δύο αρκετά καλές.

[Lowsleeperr :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frédéric, fils de famille aisée et insatisfait, traverse son quotidien avec ennui, coincé dans une vie qui ne l’inspire guère. Naïs, au contraire, incarne la vitalité. Marquée par la violence familiale, elle ne se laisse jamais complètement écraser, et sa sensibilité la rend profondément attachante, singulière. Le récit explore subtilement les contrastes sociaux avec brio. Une lecture courte, un Zola différent des Rougon, mais qui laisse une empreinte durable.

[Délia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t really know what to think of it, kind of sad in a way

[cp Naïs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une nouvelle dont on ne fait qu’une bouchée. Je n’appellerai pas mon fils Frédéric et je ferai un peu plus attention à mon père…

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peut-être pas lu dans les meilleures conditions, je crois pouvoir voir un certain potentiel.

[Mathilde Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very charming and so well written. Une perle!

[Sophs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something to read on the go, that doesn't require too much thinking. 3 stories revolving around love, loss happiness and tragedy. A nice book to go through when you don't really want to dedicate a lot of time on reading.