His Masterpiece


Read by Lisa Reichert

(4.6 stars; 23 reviews)

“His Masterpiece" (“L’Oeuvre”) is a fictionalized account of the Parisian art world in the mid 19th century, and the emerging Realism, Naturalism and Impressionism movements. Emile Zola and Paul Cezanne had been friends from childhood, and the main character of the novel is thought to be largely drawn from Cezanne, as well as from Eduard Manet and Claude Monet. Zola himself appears in the work, in the character of Pierre Sandoz, a novelist. The painter in this story, Claude Lantier, attempts to revolutionize the art establishment, where artists painted in the studio and concentrated on mythological, historical and religious subjects. Instead, Lantier paints outdoors, in natural light, and with commonplace subjects. He gained a small group of supporters and fellow-practitioners in art, literature, architecture and music, but he could never manage to break out, and the public persisted in misunderstanding his aims. Meanwhile the artist sank into obsession and depression. It is believed that the publication of this book, which documents the failure of the artist to realize his potential, led to a permanent rift between Cezanne and Zola. - Summary by Lisa Reichert (15 hr 44 min)

Chapters

Preface 12:32 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 1, Part A 31:53 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 1, Part B 23:36 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 2, Part A 45:03 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 2, Part B 24:44 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 3, Part A 40:42 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 3, Part B 45:10 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 4, Part A 29:57 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 4, Part B 41:29 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 5, Part A 24:26 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 5, Part B 45:46 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 6, Part A 24:40 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 6, Part B 43:02 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 7, Part A 46:33 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 7, Part B 38:51 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 8, Part A 35:49 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 8, Part B 39:04 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 9, Part A 48:11 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 9, Part B 41:21 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 10, Part A 39:10 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 10, Part B 47:10 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 10, Part C 27:38 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 11, Part A 40:09 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 11, Part B 51:12 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 12, Part A 20:03 Read by Lisa Reichert
Chapter 12, Part B 36:03 Read by Lisa Reichert

Reviews

Well Read Insight to an Artist


(4 stars)

The story is a very well read insightful look into the a talented artist who descends into madness. Wish the ending was different, but perhaps Zola wanted to make a point.


(1 stars)

Too wordy, boring and anticlimactic. The reader was good with an uninteresting text.

Zola still teaches us to question and watch


(5 stars)

Emile


(5 stars)

great text. beautiful prose. fantastic reader.

Excellent


(5 stars)

Truly wonderful reading of L'ŒUVRE.