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Au Bonheur des Dames (The Ladies' Delight)

By Émile Zola
Penguin Classics
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3.98 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 20,010 ratings, 1,537 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Au Bonheur des Dames by Émile Zola, the story unfolds in the bustling world of a burgeoning department store in Paris. It follows Denise Baudu, a young and impoverished woman, as she navigates the transformative social and economic changes driven by the retail revolution. Through Denise's journey, the novel explores themes of ambition, progress, and the impact of consumerism on traditional livelihoods.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might appreciate this novel if you're interested in the whirlwind of Parisian society and the transformative power of modern commerce. The story intricately explores the rise of a lavish department store and its impact on the surrounding neighbourhood, weaving themes of love, ambition, and change against a vibrant backdrop. If you enjoy richly detailed narratives with a keen focus on character development and social critique, this book may resonate with you.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Ladies' Delight is the glittering Paris department store run by Octave Mouret. He has used charm and drive to become director of this mighty emporium, unscrupulously exploiting his young female staff and seducing his lady customers with luxurious displays of shimmering silks, satins, velvets and lace.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Set in one of the new Paris department stores, this poem of modern activity charts the mutual beginnings of the capitalist economy and bourgeois society. At the centre of the novel is Octave Mouret, who rises through charm, drive, and effort to become the director of this mighty shopping emporium.

Mouret is a man who is aware of the power of his position and seeks to exploit the desire his luxuriantly-displayed merchandise arouses in the ladies who shop, and the aspirations of the young female assistants he employs.

Zola captures in luxurious detail the phenomenon of the consumer society, obsessed with image, fashion, and gratification, which is so similar to our own culture.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Au Bonheur des Dames by Émile Zola is lauded for its vivid portrayal of 19th-century Parisian society and the burgeoning world of department stores. The novel praises Zola's ability to weave a compelling narrative of ambition and innovation amidst changing social landscapes. Critics admire the intricate character development and the rich, descriptive prose that brings the era to life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140447835

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 October 2001

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 319g

Pages: 464

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction Fiction in Translation General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Black Classics Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Émile Zola

About the Author

mile Zola (1840-1902) was the leading figure in the French school of naturalistic fiction. His principal work, Les Rougon-Macquart, is a panorama of mid-19th century French life, in a cycle of 20 novels which Zola wrote over a period of 22 years. Robin Buss is a translator and journalist. He has translated a number of works for Penguin Classics, including works by Dumas and Sartre, and most recently, Zola's L'Assommoir (The Dram-Shop). Robin Buss is a translator and journalist. He has translated a number of works for Penguin Classics, including works by Dumas and Sartre, and most recently, Zola's L'Assommoir (The Dram-Shop).

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