Τα θαλασσινά του κυρίου Σαμπρ

by Émile Zola, Φοίβος Ι. Πιομπίνος (Translator)

Une nouvelle surprenante de légèreté, écrite par Zola lors de vacances en Bretagne.

Genres: France, Classics

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1876

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

[Catherine Vamianaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ενα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο 100 σελίδων περίπου. Μια σύντομη ιστορία που αφορά το ζεύγος Σαμπρ και τον νεαρό Εκτορα.
Ενα κλασσικό βιβλίο διαχρονικής αξίας. Θα το απολαύσετε!!!

[Γιώργος Ζωγράφος · Rating 4 out of 5]

Μια πολύ καλή και διασκεδαστική νουβέλα με πολύ όμορφες περιγραφές και πολλές φορές λυρικό ύφος αλλά και με ένα λεπτό χιούμορ!

[Malena Mäkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zola skrev faktiskt även noveller! Dessa berättelser var publicerade i första hand en rysk tidning och tar upp typiskt franska erfarenheter, vilket gör dem till tidsdokument i ännu högre grad än vanligt! Några av dem är till och med oväntat satiriska, vilket var oväntat positivt.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

The seaside ambience is wonderfully transcribed but perhaps a bit too lengthy at times for a short story. And the plot is expected so not a personal fan but it’s still really good

[laetitia · Rating 3 out of 5]

tbh actually kinda enjoyed this? probs cz i actually understood it bas ino
not bad for a french book

[Pol]

Livre de français, en seconde

[Alexcanislupus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une nouvelle toute en légèreté, drôle et rafraîchissante. Une petite pépite!

[Mat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drôle et chute intéressante

[Daan]

Very short but nicely writen.

[Sady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and nice read.

[Alexandros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Σύντομο Βιβλίο καλογραμμένο γεμάτο εικόνες που σε περνούν μαζί τους και σε ταξιδεύουν με έναν μαγικό τροπο