The Ladies' Paradise (Au Bonheur des Dames) recounts the spectacular development of the modern department store in late nineteenth century Paris. The store is a symbol of capitalism, of the modern city, and of the bourgeois family; it is emblematic of consumer culture and the changes in sexual attitudes and class relations taking place at the end of the century. Octave Mouret, the store's owner-manager, masterfully exploits the desires of his female customers. In his private life as much as in business he is the great ...
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The Ladies' Paradise (Au Bonheur des Dames) recounts the spectacular development of the modern department store in late nineteenth century Paris. The store is a symbol of capitalism, of the modern city, and of the bourgeois family; it is emblematic of consumer culture and the changes in sexual attitudes and class relations taking place at the end of the century. Octave Mouret, the store's owner-manager, masterfully exploits the desires of his female customers. In his private life as much as in business he is the great seducer. But when he falls in love with the innocent Denise Baudu, he discovers she is the only one of the salesgirls who refuses to be commodified. This new translation of the eleventh book in the Rougon-Macquart cycle captures the spirit of one of Zola's greatest novels of the modern city.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Size: 19 to 25 cm tall, Octavo, (8vo); English language. Posted within 1 working day. 1st class tracked post to the UK, Airmail tracked worldwide. Robust recyclable packaging.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
I wanted to read the original book in order to see how it differed from the PBS program. It does in a couple of instances but for the most part the tv version is pretty good. I loved the book and very happy I could read Zola. Looking into more books by Emile Zola.
estrella21
Jan 10, 2008
be drawn into a love story
I remember this book as being one of the first books i read in college. It had an ok cover, was a little worn and was introduced to me as being a tool for looking at the history of the Parisian department store. I soon discovered that it was more deeply a look at the changing human psyche at the time. the small business owner is crushed, people's wallets are swallowed whole, but what of the powerful male despot at the top of the ladder. An unsuspecting young woman now has the freedom and capability to unseat him, but will she, or will she be destroyed. I felt with every page the fragility of both the characters, teetering precariously in new societal roles, and the sad unraveling of the precious intimacy of the small shops. Yet intimacy is to be found when within the crumbling of society and the shops surrounding the grand department store we still find the glimmer of humanity in a surprising twist of fate and love.
