The Story

This isn't a novel with a plot, but a collection of critical essays. Think of it as a guided tour through the minds of France's biggest 19th-century writers, led by a brilliant and opinionated young critic, Emile Hennequin. He was part of the scene, writing when many of these authors were still alive and working. Each chapter focuses on a different writer—Flaubert, Zola, Hugo, the Goncourt brothers, Huysmans—and Hennequin gives his take on their style, their ideas, and their impact. He doesn't just praise them; he analyzes, compares, and sometimes challenges them. The 'story' here is the unfolding of a critical mind at work, painting a vivid picture of a literary era in motion.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is the voice. Hennequin isn't a dusty historian looking back; he's in the thick of it. Reading his essays feels like getting a letter from a friend who's just argued with Zola about naturalism or debated symbolism with Huysmans. You get a sense of the real debates and passions of the time. It’s personal. His insights are sharp—he might point out something awkward in Hugo's grandeur or dissect the precise mechanics of Flaubert's prose in a way that makes you see Madame Bovary with new eyes. It adds layers to your understanding of books you already love.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect read for anyone who already enjoys 19th-century French classics and wants to go deeper. If you've ever finished a book by Zola or Flaubert and thought, 'I wonder what people made of this when it first came out,' Hennequin has your answers. It's also great for readers interested in the history of literary criticism itself. Be prepared for it to be a bit academic in structure—it is a book of essays, after all—but the perspective is so fresh and engaged that it never feels like homework. You come away feeling like you've spent time in a fascinating literary salon, listening to one of its brightest guests.