The Three Cities, Lourdes Volume IV
The novel revolves around the lives of several characters connected to the three cities of Lille, Rouen, and Marseille. It explores themes of love, family, politics, and social class during the late 19th century in France. The story follows Pierre Froment, a priest who becomes disillusioned with the Catholic Church, and his relationships with various women, including his cousin, Marie, and a courtesan, Albine.
By Émile Zola · First published 1894 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Naturalism · 5 chapters · 44,311 words
First lines
AT the Hospital of Our Lady of Dolours, that morning, Marie remained seated on her bed, propped up by pillows. Having spent the whole night at the Grotto, she had refused to let them take her back there. And, as Madame de Jonquiere approached her, to raise one of the pillows which was slipping from its place, she asked: "What day is it, madame?"
"Monday, my dear child."
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Cities, Lourdes Volume IV is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Naturalism, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 44,311 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 503 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Three Cities, Lourdes Volume IV by Émile Zola
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Three Cities, Lourdes Volume IV?
- 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
- The Three Cities Lourdes Volume V by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Lourdes Volume I by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Lourdes Volume Ii by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Lourdes Volume Iii by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Paris Volume V by Emile Zola
- The Three Cities Paris Volume Iii by Emile Zola
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of faith, suffering, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Realism — Zola's detailed depiction of hospital life and the struggles of the characters reflects the principles of realism.
- Naturalism — The narrative illustrates the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, a hallmark of naturalism.
- Historical Fiction — Set in the context of Lourdes, the book incorporates historical elements related to the pilgrimage and medical practices of the time.
Tags
French literature · 19th century · Realism · Catholic Church · Pilgrimage · Religion · Spirituality · Historical fiction · Social commentary · Philosophical themes · Psychological insight · Character-driven narrative