MARCH 2019 - AudioFile
Narrator Leighton Pugh's quietly expressive vocal style and relaxed pacing help listeners engage with Zola's naturalistic and expansive novel of avarice, poverty, and degradation among all the social classes in nineteenth-century France. Pugh capably meets the dual challenges of illuminating the novel's lush descriptive language and imbuing the large cast with rich vocal characterizations. Indeed, Pugh's talented narration creates an almost theatrical experience. The plot centers on Nana Coupeau, a prostitute who becomes an immediate sensation when she appears in a Parisian theater production despite her lack of acting or singing ability. The abundant male attention she then receives propels the story. A lengthy but transporting audio treat. M.J. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Library Journal
This rather risqu novel-for 1880 that is-tells the story of ruthless protagonist Nana's rise from the gutter to the height of Parisian society. The book's heavy allusion to sexual favors caused it to be denounced as pornography upon publication, which, of course, made it a big hit.
From the Publisher
"The translation...is fluid and true to the text. The A.G. Stevens cover print is an excellent choice."—Roy Arthur Swanson, Univ. of Wisconsin
MARCH 2019 - AudioFile
Narrator Leighton Pugh's quietly expressive vocal style and relaxed pacing help listeners engage with Zola's naturalistic and expansive novel of avarice, poverty, and degradation among all the social classes in nineteenth-century France. Pugh capably meets the dual challenges of illuminating the novel's lush descriptive language and imbuing the large cast with rich vocal characterizations. Indeed, Pugh's talented narration creates an almost theatrical experience. The plot centers on Nana Coupeau, a prostitute who becomes an immediate sensation when she appears in a Parisian theater production despite her lack of acting or singing ability. The abundant male attention she then receives propels the story. A lengthy but transporting audio treat. M.J. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
