Dead Men Tell No Tales

by Émile Zola, Douglas Parmée (Translator)

In contrast with the epic scope of the Rougon-Macquart novels, Zola’s short stories are concerned with the everyday aspects of human existence and the interests of ordinary people. From the cruel irony of "Captain Burle" to the Rabelaisian exuberance of "Coqueville on the Spree," these stories display the broad range of Zola’s imagination, using a variety of tones, from the quietly cynical to the compassionate. The settings of the stories also range widely, from the aristocratic drawing rooms to poverty-stricken garrets, from the cemeteries of Paris to the countryside of Zola’s youth. In these 16 stories, Zola’s racy tone is faithfully rendered by acclaimed translator Douglas Parmée.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, 19th Century, French Literature

256 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2010

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

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

From TIA:
Three tales by Emile Zola, dramatised by Kelvin Segger.

A dead man wakes in horror as everyone around him prepares his funeral; another man is killed by advertising and a third postpones his dream for far too long. Cast includes Michael Maloney, Norman Bird and Struan Rodger.

Directed by Peter Leslie Wild.

https://archive.org/details/DeadMenTe...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. It was a great change of pace from novels and series. The language was beautiful, and I appreciated that I could relate to many of the emotions and questions posed in the stories, even though this was written in the 1870s-ish.

[Naima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like any collection, this book contains a mixed bag of short stories that range from intriguing to dull. Overall, it satisfies the craving for morbidity in darker or gothic fiction but it's a satisfaction that is fleeting. I don't remember these stories the day after I read them, except 'Story of a Madman' and 'Dead Men Tell No Tales'. In fact, I didn't finish the last four stories because I have no curiosity to read something I won't be able to retain the next day. Altogether, it was quite mediocre.

[John Rossington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Emile Zola is one of the most underated French authors. These four short stories are an excellent introduction to the author. Each story has a great narrative and they vary n subject. One is very comic, one is very morbid, one is very romantic and the first story is deeply cynical. All are very accessible. Recommended.

[James Roseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these stories. I read them after Flaubert, and it was interesting seeing a stylistic connection between the two. Flaubert was something of a mentor and father figure to Zola, so it is not suprising to see his emphasis on description and realism reinforced in the works of Zola. I particularly liked "The Spree at Coqueville" and "Shellfish for Monsieur Chabre."

[Noam · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5/5)