Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky's deft translation brings new life to Emile Zola's rich characters and stunning depiction of Les Halles, the food markets of 1850s Paris
The Belly of Paris is the dramatic story of Florent Quenu, a convict who has miraculously escaped imprisonment on Devil's Island after being falsely accused of a killing during a political demonstration. Back in Paris after his long confinement, Florent moves in with his brother's family in the newly rebuilt Les Halles market and is soon caught in a dangerous maelstrom of food and politics as the dramatic difference between fat and thin (the rich and the poor) becomes too obvious to ignore.
Mark Kurlansky's introduction celebrates Emile Zola's role as a naturalist, describing his twenty-volume series of Rougon-Macquart novels, and the culinary delights of The Belly of Paris.
About the Author
Emile Zola (1840—1902) was born in Paris and worked as a journalist before turning to fiction. With the publication of LAssommoir, he became the most famous writer in France. His work has influenced authors from August Strindberg to Theodore Dreiser to Tom Wolfe.
Mark Kurlanksy is the New York Times bestselling and James A. Beard Award—winning author of The Last Fish Tale, The Big Oyster, Cod, and Salt, among other books. He has translated numerous pieces from French, Spanish, and Italian for his anthology of food writing Choice Cuts. He lived in Paris for ten years but now resides in New York City.