Interview with Sarah

This is an interview I had with Sarah about Germinal:

What impacted you the most about the book?

For me, the vivid, naturalistic description of the characters' lives and struggles was touching and provocative.  I appreciated Zola's attention to detail, including how he portrayed the characters and their lives through their speech, descriptions of their living and working environment, and their relationships to each others.

How old were you when you read it? 

I read the book about 10 years ago, when i was in my mid twenties.

Did the book change your perspective on anything in any way?

Reading the book helped to have a new awareness of the lives of the poor in France in the time period the book was written.  

What was your favorite part in the book?

I can't remember a favorite part.  I vividly remember the opening scene and the author's description of fired onions as the only food available for a family of people who worked all day like slaves in the coal mines.  I also remember the golfing scene for some reason, though i can't remember the relevance of it the story over all.  I thought it was cool to learn about that part of the history of golf, since now golf is obviously a sport associated with the elite, but i guess it wasn't always.

Why did you read this book?

I believe that somebody recommended the book or the author to me as one i might like.  I did love the book.  For me it was captivating, and I remember reading in a matter of days, though it is a long book.  I really hope you enjoyed it and that it inspires you to continue to read!