The Disappearance of Émile Zola: Love, Literature, and the Dreyfus Case

by Michael Rosen

Overview

The incredible story of Émile Zola's escape to London in the aftermath of the scandalous Dreyfus Affair.

It is the evening of July 18, 1898 and the world-renowned novelist Émile Zola is on the run. His crime? Taking on the highest powers in the land with his open letter "J'accuse"—and losing. Forced to leave Paris with nothing but the clothes he is standing in and a nightshirt wrapped in newspaper, Zola flees to England with no idea when he will return.

This is the little-known story of Zola's time in exile. Rosen has traced Zola's footsteps from the Gare du Nord to London, examining the significance of this year. The Disappearance of Émile Zola offers an intriguing insight into the mind, the loves, and the politics of the great writer during this tumultuous era in his life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681775807
Publisher:	Pegasus Books
Publication date:	09/15/2017
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	32 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Michael Rosen MA, PhD, is a poet, broadcaster, former Children's Laureate, and a recipient of one of France's top honors: Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. His children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt has sold over 8 million copies. He has presented Radio 4's "Word of Mouth" since 1996 and his program "Zola in Norwood'" was broadcast on Radio 3 in 2015. He is Professor of Children's Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Editorial Reviews

★ 09/01/2017
In writing J'Accuse, French novelist Émile Zola (1840–1902) sought justice for Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish army officer imprisoned for treason with no evidence. Zola accused the French government and military of anti-Semitism and corruption in their conviction of the innocent Dreyfus. His altruistic actions resulted in a jail sentence Zola intended to serve. However, in July 1898, he fled to London and remained exiled for 11 months. Rosen (children's literature, Goldsmiths, Univ. of London; We're Going on a Bear Hunt) uses this period of exile as the main focus of this remarkable book. Drawing on correspondence, biographies, and newspaper accounts, he presents this difficult time in the author's life. Zola spoke little English and despised British cuisine. Separated from his wife and also his mistress (and the children produced from that relationship), Zola managed to continue writing despite his misery. Rosen not only captures Zola's despair but also describes the inaccuracies found in newspaper accounts about his whereabouts. This work further reveals the divisiveness of French society during this period, exacerbated by the Dreyfus affair. Includes English translations of J'Accuse and a short story written during Zola's time in exile. VERDICT For all readers interested in 19th-century France and French literature.—Erica Swenson Danowitz, Delaware Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Media, PA

Library Journal

"The Disappearance of Émile Zola recalls that Zola’s habit of boundlessness continued during his exile, as his letters and works from that period demonstrate his reckoning with the politics and literature that remained swirling in his mind."

New Criterion

"Zola’s slogan was 'Reality is Truth,' but how to find that reality? Rosen poses Zola’s dilemma, naturalism or impressionism, interestingly. Thought-provoking."

The Times (UK)

"The Dreyfus Affair and Zola’s part in it retain their fascination. Mr. Rosen’s chronicle addresses them from an interesting angle. The book reads easily and enjoyably and pays proper tribute to Zola’s pertinacity and decency."

The Wall Street Journal

"Michael Rosen’s handsomely-written new book depicts with candor and vivacity the lengths at which one great artist fought for moral clarity."

The Brooklyn Rail

"Not a dispassionate work of history but a homage to Zola for his fight against anti-Semitism. There is a certain charm in Rosen’s portrayal of the great writer’s solitary sojourn in south London."

The Spectator (UK)

"A gripping account of a lost period in the life of Zola."

Brian Klug

"Rosen reminds readers of the price Zola paid for voicing the convictions of conscience when he took up the cause of Alfred Dreyfus. A profoundly humanizing account of a previously opaque literary-political episode."

Booklist (starred)