What a brilliant book! Well written and with beautiful art. Marvellous!

Graphic novel shows life of Zola and his family, and most of all the influence of women in his life. We can see that without wife's support and her determination he couldn't be the writer he was. She sets aside her life and in many ways her happiness to honour his career.

An ode to Alexandrine Zola.

An excellent introduction to the life and relationships of Emile Zola. Whilst not in-depth (e.g. details of the rift between Cezanne and Zola were left to be inferred), the art is incredible. The Zolas by Marcaggi and Chemama humanises Alexandrine Zola and Jeanne, and brings you in to the world and the sacrifice these women have made.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The art in this is fabulous! Chemama cleverly references paintings such as Manet's Déjeuner Sur L'herbe and the work of Cézanne in her palette and other visual cues, to draw attention to the way they influenced Zola's naturalism and approach to writing. Flashbacks are also toned and shadowy to indicate memories - it's all beautifully done.

The text takes secondary position to the artwork in telling the story, I'd say, and uses Americanisms ('quit doing that', 'mom') that are amusingly out of place in C19th Paris.

The plural of the title is wonderfully apposite, and though the narrative is, perhaps inevitably, not deep, it does provide an excellent introduction and overview to Zola's fascinating if troubled life. An engaging and beautifully rendered graphic text.