The Debacle
The Debacle by Émile Zola, published by Penguin Books Limited in 1972, is a revised edition that spans 509 pages. This novel presents the story of Jean Macquart, a middle-aged soldier in the French army who has faced significant personal loss. Set against the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, the narrative explores the evolving relationship between Macquart and the affluent Maurice Levasseur, highlighting their initial animosity and eventual bond as they navigate the chaos of war and the collapse of France’s Second Empire.
Readers will find a profound exploration of friendship amidst the brutality of conflict, as Zola delves into the experiences of his characters during a tumultuous period in history. The Debacle not only serves as a powerful war narrative but also offers insights into the societal upheaval of the time, reflecting themes of class struggle and the impact of war on individuals and nations. This edition is presented in English, making it accessible to a wide audience interested in historical fiction and literary criticism.
Official synopsis Publisher
Conservative and working-class, Jean Macquart is an experienced, middle-aged soldier in the French army, who has endured deep personal loss. When he first meets the wealthy and mercurial Maurice Levasseur, who never seems to have suffered, his hatred is immediate. But after they are thrown together during the disastrous Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, the pair are compelled to understand one other. Forging a profound friendship, they must struggle together to endure a disorganised and brutal war, the savage destruction of France’s Second Empire and the fall of Napoleon III. One of the greatest of all war novels, The Debacle is the nineteenth novel in Zola’s great Rougon-Macquart cycle. A forceful and deeply moving tale of close friendship, it is also a fascinating chronicle of the events that were to lead, in the words of Zola himself, to ‘the murder of a nation’.
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