# The Joy of Life [La joie de vivre]

Author: Zola, Émile, 1840-1902; Vizetelly, Ernest Alfred, 1853-1922 [Editor]

Genre: Category: Novels

Language: English

License: Public domain

Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56541

Amazon editions: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Joy+of+Life+%5BLa+joie+de+vivre%5D+Zola&tag=cyberlibrar00-20

## Summary

'La Joie de Vivre,' here translated as 'The Joy of Life,' was written by M. Zola in 1883, partly at his country house at Médan, and partly at Bénodet, a little seaside place in Brittany. The scene of the story is laid, however, on the coast of the neighbouring province of Normandy, between the mouth of the Orne and the rocks of Grandcamp, where the author had sojourned, more than once, in previous years. The title selected by him for this book is to be taken in an ironical or sarcastic sense. There is no joy at all in the lives of the characters whom he portrays in it. The story of the 'hero' is one of mental weakness, poisoned by a constantly recurring fear of death; whilst that of his f...

## Chapters

- [CHAPTER XI](https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/the-joy-of-life-la-joie-de-vivre-56541/chapters/1/index.md)
- [ill. However, the girl kissed him, protesting that it was she herself](https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/the-joy-of-life-la-joie-de-vivre-56541/chapters/2/index.md)