Yesterday’s wind has dropped, but the incessant rain was much fiercer today. I therefore continued with Germinal.
This work by Emile Zola is widely acclaimed as one of the finest French novels.
There are 7 parts to the book. Because of the number of illustrations and their positions on the pages, offering the opportunity for readers to sample extracts from Zola’s sublime poetic prose as it frames the pictures, I am diverting from my normal practice and publishing these sheets as I work my way along my rereading, leaving my review until the end.
These are the leaves from Part One. As usual, clicking on any illustration will access the gallery facilitating enlargement.
Late this afternoon, although much colder, the skies cleared; the sun emerged to share the cerulean canopy with the moon, and set over the still water-laden Christchurch Road.
This evening we all dined on barbecue spare ribs, and Jackie’s colourful savoury rice with garlic; she drank Hoegaarden, Ian drank Erdinger weisbier, and I drank more of the Nero d’Avola.
It’s been a while since I’ve had BBQ ribs. The ones in the stores here look like all bone.
Bummer! ????
Yes it is!
Here Lidl are the best for size and meat. Thanks very much, GP
Gorgeous photos, Derrick. Dinner sounds delicious.
Thank you very much, Pat
And there I was thinking the title meant you had Ellie reading along with you…
She does do that – and takes a book off to a quiet corner herself. Fingers follow the text and she speaks about the pictures – mostly in her own language. Thanks very much, Gwen
Nice photos today, Derrick, I think you guys are getting hit by the same storms that beat up our east coast. Not good. I have no idea what it’s like to drive on the left side of the road having been driving for 46 years.
Thanks very much, John. Dillon has had to make the adjustment
I love the last photo in particular. I think I need to read Zola. (Yet another gap in my reading!)
I have gaps to close too. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’m glad I’m not alone in that.
I am glad that I am not cycling on those roads.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
The torrential rain has only just left us and gone out into the North Sea. What a wet day! Lovely illustrations in your copy of Germinal and a sensible way of dealing with your review. I was interested to see that Havelock Ellis was the translator. I loved the beautiful photos with their blue dusk light!
Thank you very much, Clare
I adored your “moon photo” Derrick …
Thank you very much, Ivor
The illustrations and photos have a beautiful haunting quality. The last photo looks like the branches are holding a brilliant pearl.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
My copy of ‘Germinal’ is not illustrated so I enjoy seeing the pictures in yours.
Thank you very much, Anne
The illustrations definitely convey mood(s).
Your beautiful photos show the sky, moon, and clouds competing with the rain and puddles. Ha. I think the sky and it’s moon and clouds is winning. So gorgeous!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wonderful illustrations, so sad and gray.
You captured some gloomy images today. There’s something about rain soaked roads, tail lights and headlights that appeals to me.
I think you had another day of more rain than Yorkshire… and that’s saying something.
Topsy turvy it seems. hanks very much, Sue
Love the light in your photographs.
Thank you very much, Sherry
The evocative illustration on p.48 could fit your locale.
Thanks very much, Merril
The book is beautifully illustrated, Derrick.
Wasn’t the moon beautiful last night? Such a lovely moon after all the rain. That is an interesting mushroom cloud you captured over that house.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
Dramatic photos! Mmmm… ribs. Now I have a hankering!
Thank you very much, Dale
Outstanding illustrations portraying the coal miners’ misery. I am looking forward to your review, Derrick.
Dramatic photos of your afternoon drive.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Love the hues of these photos!
Thank you very much, Riba
If I’m going to read some Zola maybe this is the one to choose
I think so. Thanks very much, Sheree
That’s decided then