Marthe by J K Huysmans

Marthe by J K Huysmans

First published in 1876, Marthe was an important landmark in J.K. Huysmans's literary career: it was the 28-year old writer's first excursion into the novel form and propelled him into the growing ranks of the Naturalist movement, then beginning to take shape under Zola's direction. Marthe was one of the first French novels to tackle head-on the subject of prostitution, a theme that was to become a central preoccupation in the work of many novelists, painters and poets. Set in and around the demi-monde of the Parisian music hall, it centres on a would-be actress, Marthe, who works in one of the lowest dives in Paris, and tells the story of her brief and ultimately doomed relationship with Leo, a romantic searching for something to take the place of his lost illusions. It will appeal to admirers of French Naturalism and the novels of Zola. Huysmans is particularly good in evoking the Paris of his day. 'Huysmans was part of Zola's coterie of naturalist writers driven by a desire to break from the dominance of romantic fiction.Certainly this tale set in a brothel, his debut novel banned at publication in his native France in 1876, would be fertile ground for such a venture. The translation, its first in 50 years, is wonderfully bawdy and a fine tribute to a great work.' The Herald

Joris-Karl Huysmans (1848 – 1907 in Paris) was a French novelist who published his writings under the name Charles-Marie-Georges Huysmans. He made a living as a civil servant in France for 30 years. Huysmans' writing is noted for its unique use of the French language, extensive vocabulary, descriptions, sardonic humor, and wide-ranging erudition. His work reflected his severe pessimism, which led him to Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy. His works later reflected his studies of Catholicism, religious conversion, and ordination as an oblate.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781903517475
ISBN 10	1903517478
Title	Marthe
Author	J K Huysmans
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Dedalus Ltd
Year published	2006-10-13
Number of pages	160
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.