For a Night of Love

Name: For a Night of Love
Author: Émile Zola

By Émile Zola

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About This Book

A reserved postal clerk leads a disciplined, solitary life in a provincial town, finding solace in music until he becomes captivated by the reclusive Marsanne household and the young woman he glimpses at a window. His quiet longing hardens into obsession amid petty rivalries and small-town gossip, and the story traces how desire, humiliation, and social distance erode his calm. Through close attention to feelings and everyday routine, the narrative examines alienation, the ache of unconsummated passion, and the escalating consequences when private yearning collides with jealousy and entrenched barriers.

About the Author

Émile Zola

Émile Zola (1840-1902) was a prominent French novelist and playwright, best known for his influential role in the literary movement of naturalism. His works often explore the struggles of the working class and the impact of environment and heredity on human behavior. Zola's most famous novel, "Germinal," depicts the harsh realities of coal miners' lives and is a powerful critique of industrial society. Throughout his career, he produced a series of interconnected novels known as the Rougon-Macquart cycle, which examines various aspects of French life during the Second Empire. Zola's commitment to social issues and his bold narrative style have left a lasting mark on literature.