The Dream by Émile Zola (1866)

Name: The Dream
Author: Émile Zola

The novel revolves around the story of a young woman who becomes obsessed with a mysterious and elusive dream she has been having since childhood. The dream is about a beautiful and luxurious city where she feels happy and free. As she grows older, her obsession with the dream intensifies, leading her to abandon her mundane life and embark on a journey to find this fantastical place.

By Émile Zola · First published 1866 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Realism, Historical Fiction · 17 chapters · 102,607 words

First lines

During the severe winter of 1860 the river Oise was frozen over and the plains of Lower Picardy were covered with deep snow. On Christmas Day, especially, a heavy squall from the north-east had almost buried the little city of Beaumont. The snow, which began to fall early in the morning, increased towards evening and accumulated during the night; in the upper town, in the Rue des Orfèvres, at the end of which, as if enclosed therein, is the northern front of the cathedral transept, this was blown with great force by the wind against the portal of Saint Agnes, the old Romanesque portal, where traces of Early Gothic could be seen, contrasting its florid ornamentation with the bare simplicity of the transept gable.

What this Textopian page supports

The Dream is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1866 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Émile Zola
Date: 1866 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Realism, Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Gothic Fiction
Length: 102,607 words
Structure: 17 chapters, 1,311 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Dream by Émile Zola
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Dream?
How does this novel by Émile Zola fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of suffering, identity, and redemption through rich character development and intricate prose.
Social Realism — It portrays the harsh realities of life for abandoned children and critiques societal neglect and class disparities.
Historical Fiction — Set in 1860, it reflects the historical context of the time, particularly regarding social issues and the role of religion.
Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Angelique, undergoes significant personal growth and transformation throughout the narrative.