Mouret is a brash and energetic man who takes big risks for big rewards, and who loves to charm and 'conquer' his customers...and the other women he meets. And he's not shy about it. "I'm a passionate man, I don't just sit back and let life go by. ... It's wanting something and acting on it, you see, creating something, in short. You get an idea and you fight for it, you hammer it into people's heads, you see it grow and triumph."
Then there's Denise Baudu, a provincial young lady who comes to Paris with her two younger brothers. Needing work, she gets a job at Au Bonheur des Dames as a salesgirl. But life there isn't easy; her first day ends in tears. "From that day on, Denise showed great courage. Beneath her emotional crises, there was an intellect always at work and the bravery of someone weak and alone who was cheerfully determined in pursuit of the tasks she had set herself. She made little fuss, but went directly ahead towards her goal, taking any obstacles in her stride--and she did all this simply and naturally, because her whole nature was in this invincible gentleness. ....Her willingness to endure pain and her dogged determination kept her upright and smiling even when she was on the point of collapse, entirely exhausted by work that would have finished many men."
It is her modesty and gentle sweetness that draws Mouret's interest. His attraction deepens to love. (And almost obsession.) But no matter what he offers her, Denise refuses to become his mistress. Even though deep down, she loves him, too. Their lives revolve around Au Bonheur des Dames and its triumphal success.
Zola had a lot to say about consumerism and instant gratification in this novel, and how one man and one store can manipulate society so easily. But I enjoyed it mostly for his characters and the personal journeys each one takes. In many ways, Denise reminded me of Jane Austen's Fanny Price, quietly determined to do what she believes is right no matter what. Mouret's morals, on the other hand, weren't so admirable, but his business acumen was impressive. No one else believed his department store would be so successful. Except for Denise. These two make quite a pair. And while I found the ending a bit anti-climatic, I ended up liking this French classic (which counts as my Classic in Translation for Karen's Back to the Classics Challenge.)
Happy Reading!
P.S. The Penguin version I read was ably translated by Robin Buss.
This sounds like a great read featuring some thought-provoking topics. Glad you enjoyed it even though it had an anti-climactic ending.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a bad ending, just really abrupt. Or at least, that's how it felt to me. :)
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteIt ended up being a fun read, which some classics aren't. :)
DeleteHow interesting! The store reminds one of Walmart and its effect on small, locally-owned businesses.
ReplyDeleteYes! Zola really shows how this one big department store ends up driving all these other smaller stores out of business and changes everything in that neighborhood.
DeleteI'm totally unfamiliar with this one, but I have to admit that you've made it sound so good, that I may end up taking a look at it. I have read very little classic or contemporary French literature for some reason, but I've generally enjoyed the ones I've read.
ReplyDeleteI've read one other Zola novel that I also enjoyed, but other than that I haven't read much French literature either.
DeleteI haven't read much Zola either, but this does sound good--and maybe not as grim as I usually think he is? I'll have to check it out! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI didn't feel this one was a grim as some of Zola's novels seem to get. Of course, I've only read Nana. But that was definitely a sad story. There are sad moments in this one, and some characters don't fare very well, but over all it was a more hopeful book, at least for the two main characters.
DeleteHuh this sounds good. I thought of Walmart too like one of the other commenters and a few other companies as well. Interesting, but also that the character interactions worked so well also.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see what happens with the advent of this dept. store, especially on all the small niche businesses surrounding it....and their brave but futile attempt to resist modernizing and stay in business.
DeleteI love that you read so many classics that I'm unfamiliar with!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many books out there considered classics...I'm always running into ones I don't know much about, too. :)
DeleteI enjoyed this one too. I've just started reading another Zola novel, Germinal, and I think it's going to be very different!
ReplyDeleteGerminal does seem to tackle a much more serious subject than this one. I hope it's not too depressing.
DeleteI had to read this for my English degree many years ago and I did like it a lot. As someone who is rather fond of shopping it made me a little uncomfortable, too!
ReplyDelete:D Some of the women Zola describes, and their unwise shopping habits, does make you stop and think, doesn't it?
DeleteHi Lark, Great review. This novel sounded familiar and then I realized that a few years ago there was a TV series I think from the BBC called The Paradise and when I checked the series is based on this novel. I have not read Zola but from the description of the novel he certainly was ahead of his time in the 19th century in creating Denise a young career woman who is serious about her life and her job and won't get sidetracked.
ReplyDeleteI only saw one or two episodes of that TV series, but I did know it was based on this book. I wonder how the two compare.
DeleteI've read a lot of classics in my day but somehow even through all of my college courses have never read anything from this author. This book sounds pretty interesting though.
ReplyDeleteI've only read one other book by Zola, but I liked this one a little better.
DeleteThis one sounds interesting. And Mouret seems like an intriguing character, too.
ReplyDeleteHe was something, that's for sure. :)
DeleteOooh, a department store in Paris in a fancier time? Sounds like an interesting story. Nice that you got to mark off a classic, too. Fab review, Lark! :)
ReplyDeleteBooks set in Paris are always a draw for me. :)
DeleteThis sounds fascinating. I've never heard of this classic before. I love the comparison to Mansfield Park. I need to put this on my list!
ReplyDeleteThere's just something about Denise that reminded me of Fanny! :)
DeleteI've never read anything by Emile Zola. How is that possible? I love the sound of this one!
ReplyDeleteThis is my second Emile Zola book, and one I liked. :)
Delete*adds Au Bonheur des Dames to TBR list*
ReplyDelete:) Hope you like it!
DeleteI've only ever come across one book by this author in all my bookshopping days and that was Germinal, which I haven't read yet.You got me at the mention of Fanny Price - such an underated character!
ReplyDeleteI love Fanny Price! She is very underrated in the Austen world. And I've heard of Zola's Germinal, but I've never read that one either.
DeleteGreat review! I also read a Zola for this category but haven't posted about it yet. You are really doing great in the Back to the Classics this year. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm trying! Maybe this will be the year I actually read a book in all 12 categories. :)
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