https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-zola-library--7073983enFictionPublic domainhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/81978003585d9cc2a2b83af5256d7a6e.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-zola-library--7073983Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:30:51 +0000Émile ZolaGood Old Classicsfeeds@spreaker.comThe Zola Library opens its doors to the whole, unabridged force of Émile Zola’s novels. Here, each book is read in full, chapter by chapter, with no compromise and no ornament to soften the truth. Enter the streets, homes, mines, markets, and hearts...false200d946d-84c3-5cab-87f0-07ece3979991serialhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-1--72307948https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307948Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:15:11 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the sombre and confined Arcade of the Pont Neuf reveals its gloom and decay, sheltering the dim lives of tradespeople and passers-by beneath its grimy glass roof. Amongst these shadows, the quiet mercery of Thérèse Raquin unfolds, a small...623false11fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-2--72307950https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307950Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:15:12 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quiet life of Madame Raquin and her fragile son Camille unfolds within a secluded riverside home, their days marked by tender care and the watchful presence of Thérèse, a niece with a concealed fire beneath her tranquil guise. The...817false12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-3--72307976https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307976Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:15:12 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young couple, under the watchful eye of a devoted mother, moves from the provinces to the bustling heart of Paris to begin a modest mercery business, navigating the humble beginnings of their new life with quiet resignation. The days unfold...716false13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-4--72307966https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307966Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the Raquin family establishes a weekly Thursday evening gathering that becomes a ritual of social interaction, framed by the quiet routine of tea, dominoes, and the company of rather dull and peculiar acquaintances. Amidst the somber and...448false14fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-5--72307965https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307965Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Camille brings home an old acquaintance, the robust and idly ambitious Laurent, whose presence and jovial manner introduce a new and powerful element into the quiet life of the Raquin household. The family gathers to welcome this imposing...776false15fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-6--72307977https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307977Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Laurent becomes a frequent visitor to the Raquins’ shop, gradually transforming their humble abode into a studio where he painstakingly works on a portrait of Camille, while Thérèse, drawn by an inscrutable impulse, watches him with a quiet...513false16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-8--72307952https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307952Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quiet evenings in Madame Raquin’s shop serve as a snug haven for Laurent, who enjoys the affectionate hospitality of the family, and for Thérèse, who with practiced coldness conceals the fiery ardour she harbours within. The household’s...525false18fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-9--72307959https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307959Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the cruel constraints of circumstance compel Laurent and Thérèse into a clandestine and strained longing, their secret meetings few and fraught with uneasy resignations. As their passion simmers amid shadowed thoughts, a restless night...965false19fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-7--72307962https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307962Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two young hearts find themselves plunged into a secret intimacy forged amidst the shadowed corridors of a quiet household, where passion kindles beneath the watchful eyes of an unsuspecting aunt. The woman, long subdued by a life of illness...808false17fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-10--72307969https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307969Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the weariness and silent tensions among the members of the Raquin household deepen, their unspoken emotions manifesting in furtive hand clasps and cold indifference, while life around them continues under the mask of calm. Amidst a lively yet...412false110fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-11--72307951https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307951Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a delicate Sunday excursion unfolds along the banks of the Seine, where the characters seek solace amid fading autumnal beauty and the river's melancholy embrace, all beneath the tranquil yet somber light of evening. Observing their silent...1404false111fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-12--72307955https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307955Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the sombre weight of a grievous calamity descends upon a close circle, prompting a delicate performance of mourning and the cautious weaving of explanations amid the shadows of grief. Laurent, engaged in a calculated charade of sorrow,...898false112fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-13--72307964https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307964Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Laurent, disturbed by a grievous wound and haunted by the absence of Camille's body, subjects himself to the grim and repulsive daily pilgrimage to the Morgue, where the public mingles in a macabre tableau of death and decay. Amidst this...874false113fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-14--72307972https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307972Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the sombre air of the Pont Neuf arcade seems to press heavier upon the shuttered shop, mirroring the desolation within as two women endure deep mourning and silence, their fragile forms marked by sorrow and fevered unrest. Thérèse, roused...367false114fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-15--72307958https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307958Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quiet routine of evening visits is restored to Madame Raquin’s sombre household, where the shadow of absence casts a chill upon convivial game nights. Laurent and Thérèse share a silent communion amid the lingering grief and the...225false115fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-18--72307957https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307957Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the restless nights beset Thérèse and Laurent with haunting visions and a shared, tormenting bond that binds their hearts in mutual dread and uneasy affection. They contrive a cautious plan to prompt marriage, yearning for release from their...691false118fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-17--72307967https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307967Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Laurent, beset by a sudden and inexplicable terror, finds himself haunted through a long, sleepless night by feverish dreams that draw him repeatedly towards Thérèse and the dark corridors of the past. As the first light of dawn arrives, both...1106false117fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-16--72307973https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307973Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the weary passage of time after tragedy brings a muted calm over Laurent and Thérèse, whose once fervent passion has waned into a cautious, unsettling tranquillity that colours their interactions and daily lives. Each, caught in their own...971false116fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-21--72307960https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307960Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two souls, newly wed and bound by a grievous pact, find themselves ensnared in a silence thick with unspoken horrors and a passion extinguished by the weight of their shared past. Surrounded by the stale warmth of a once-coquettish chamber...1508false121fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-19--72307963https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307963Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Thérèse enacts the role of a desolate widow, stirring the anxieties of Madame Raquin, who, influenced by the practical counsel of an old acquaintance, contemplates a marriage that might rekindle some warmth in their sombre household. The...1322false119fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-20--72307970https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307970Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Thérèse and Laurent awaken on the morning of their wedding day, burdened by a haunting presence that lingers between them despite the solemn ceremonies and quiet company that mark their union. They navigate the surreal and anxious atmosphere...610false120fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-23--72307954https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307954Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the tormented lovers, gripped by a frantic desire to assert their possession of one another, engage in a desperate and painful struggle to expel the haunting presence of the drowned man from their bed. Their embraces, rife with anguish and...386false123fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-22--72307971https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307971Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the newly married pair endure restless nights haunted by a spectral presence that chills their bodies and unnerves their minds, driving them to fearful suspicions and uneasy silences. Their shared terror erects an invisible barrier between...718false122fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-24--72307979https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307979Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the semblance of convivial Thursday evenings is restored to the shop once more, bringing a fragile gaiety among the accustomed guests and allowing a fragile respite to the household. Yet by day, beneath the sun’s gentle caress, the couple...1115false124fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-26--72307949https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307949Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the gradual and cruel paralysis of Madame Raquin brings a sombre stillness to the household, enveloping the living and the lifeless in a shared, oppressive silence. As the once gentle and devoted woman becomes a silent witness to the...1251false126fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-25--72307961https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307961Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Laurent, newly married and burdened by his secret, seeks refuge in a small studio where he endeavors to revive his artistic ambitions, only to find himself haunted by the inescapable image of Camille that emerges unbidden in every sketch he...1149false125fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-27--72307968https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307968Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a silent tension pervades the household as Thérèse and Laurent grapple with the presence of the paralysed Madame Raquin during the evening's gathering, her feeble attempts at communication unsettling all who attend. The company, oblivious to...646false127fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-29--72307956https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307956Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the heavy atmosphere of a grief-stricken household grows taut with the ceaseless lamentations and feigned penitence of a woman ensnared in her own remorse, whilst an impotent victim bears silent witness to this bitter charade. The tangled...1186false129fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-30--72307975https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307975Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Madame Raquin endures a harrowing inner battle between despair and the fierce need for retribution, clinging to life despite the torment brought by those around her. Meanwhile, Thérèse and Laurent sink into a dreadful existence marked by...1278false130fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-28--72307978https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307978Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two souls, bound in a tumultuous and anguished marriage, endure the bitter aftermath of a dark deed, their passion curdling into hatred and violent recriminations that echo through their somber dwelling. Observed in silent torment by a...1048false128fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-31--72307953https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307953Sat, 13 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Laurent, consumed by terror and suspicion, follows Thérèse through the streets as she leads a life marked by outward defiance and secret despair, while their mutual distrust and hatred fester within the claustrophobic confines of their shared...1313false131fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theresa-raquin-chapter-32--72307974https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72307974Sat, 13 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the convivial Thursday evening at the Raquin household unfolds with lively conversation and a facade of warmth, while beneath this tranquil surface, a profound and sombre tension silently gathers. The private moments reveal a shared despair...531false132fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/flood-section-2--72330954https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72330954Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a ravaged village succumbs to the relentless flood, and the survivors’ desperate struggle for safety unfolds amid the cruel forces of nature, marked by moments of courage and poignant despair. The narrator reflects with solemn sorrow on the...1294false22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/flood-section-1--72330955https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72330955Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which an elderly farmer named Louis Roubien recounts the prosperous and joyful life of his large, closely-knit family on their fertile estate by the Garonne, culminating in a hopeful gathering to celebrate an imminent wedding. Their peaceful...1808false21fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-preface--72331028https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331028Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Émile Zola offers a reflective preface elucidating his philosophical and observational motivations for depicting the pilgrimage to Lourdes, emphasising the mingling of human suffering, credulity, and the complex social tapestry of believers...837false31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-first-day-i--72331031https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331031Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a motley company of pilgrims and sufferers embark on a long, arduous journey to Lourdes, confined within the stifling carriage that becomes a rolling microcosm of human affliction and fragile hope. Among the chorus of prayers and chants,...2431false32fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-first-day-ii--72331033https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331033Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbe Pierre Froment embarks on a pilgrimage and is transported through the corridors of memory, revisiting his childhood ties, youthful affections, and the painful schisms wrought by faith and doubt within his family. As he journeys with...2677false33fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-first-day-iv--72331029https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331029Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a train-bound company of infirm pilgrims is buoyed by the radiant presence of Sophie, a young girl whose miraculous cure ignites a soaring chorus of stories celebrating wondrous healings attributed to Lourdes—a sacred realm where faith and...2932false35fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-first-day-iii--72331030https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331030Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the pilgrims aboard the white train, a travelling hospital of suffering souls, find themselves momentarily stilled at Poitiers station, where acts of tender care and fleeting human connection mingle with the restless throng. Amongst the weary...2666false34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-first-day-v--72331038https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331038Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a train journey fills with the soft murmurs of prayer and anticipation as weary pilgrims, guided by Sister Hyacinthe and the young priest Pierre, prepare for their encounter with the sacred site of Lourdes, whilst Pierre recounts the tender...3210false36fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-second-day-iii--72331036https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331036Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, restless and torn by doubt, wanders the environs of Lourdes and unexpectedly encounters an old friend whose tragic losses have led him back to faith amidst the fervour of the pilgrimage. The narrative gently unfolds amid the...2659false39fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-second-day-ii--72331032https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331032Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the vast and overcrowded hospital prepared to receive a multitude of the infirm, where eager lady-hospitallers and devoted Sisters struggled amidst the chaotic and pitiful throng of suffering souls seeking solace and hope at Lourdes. As the...2653false38fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-second-day-i--72331037https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331037Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quiet darkness of a country railway station soon swells with the restless arrival of a pilgrimage train bearing a multitude of suffering souls, amid a well-oiled but frenzied orchestration of aid and human hope. The mingling of wearied...2431false37fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-second-day-v--72331042https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331042Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the austere stillness of a hospital ward at Lourdes is softened by the tender vigil of a young priest, amidst the suffering and despair of those who cling to the hope of miraculous cures and the poignant story of Bernadette. The complex...2887false311fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-third-day-i--72331035https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331035Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the unfolding of a new chapter unveils the subtle shifts of circumstance and character beneath the quiet veneer of daily life at Lourdes. The narrative gently draws the reader deeper into the mingling of hope, faith, and the human condition...2394false312fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-second-day-iv--72331039https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331039Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the fervent throng of pilgrims gathers at the Verification Office in Lourdes, where physicians and clerics deliberate over cures, balancing the strictures of science against the fervour of faith amid a scene both chaotic and deeply human. We...2792false310fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-third-day-iv--72331040https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331040Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the twilight yields to a grand nocturnal spectacle at Lourdes, where an immense procession of pilgrims bearing countless candles weaves a glittering tapestry of light that stirs the soul with its austere beauty and silent supplication. Amidst...2845false315fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-third-day-ii--72331041https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331041Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the bustling life of the Hotel of the Apparitions unfolds amidst a motley crowd of pilgrims and caretakers, their hopes, anxieties, and intricate social tensions quietly revealing themselves through whispered confidences and hurried meals....2985false313fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-third-day-iii--72331044https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331044Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Pierre and M. de Guersaint wander through the bustling pilgrimage town of Lourdes, encountering a lively “ordinary” where hospitallers commune with a democratic gaiety, and visiting the humble bottling house of the famed spring’s water,...2433false314fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-third-day-v--72331043https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331043Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the nocturnal vigil at the Grotto is rendered in vivid detail, capturing the flickering tapers, the mingling of faith and fatigue among the pilgrims, and the gentle melancholy of those who seek solace in prayer and hope beneath the Virgin's...2519false316fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fourth-day-i--72331045https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331045Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the weary pilgrims gather anew, their hopes and prayers mingling in the crisp morning air of Lourdes, while the town hums quietly with the ritual of devotion. The day unfolds with a solemn reverence, shadows lengthening as the faithful seek...2353false317fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fourth-day-ii--72331049https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331049Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the calm radiance of morning light bends upon Marie’s hopeful visage as she awaits the miracle of healing, while nearby a fellow sufferer endures the inexorable approach of death surrounded by the silent ministrations of devoted attendants....2316false318fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fourth-day-iv--72331034https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331034Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the fervent crowds of Lourdes gather in a vast, radiant procession, teeming with passionate hope and pious anticipation for miracles to unfold amidst prayers and songs, as the frail Marie embarks upon her long-awaited cure with serene faith....2868false320fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fourth-day-v--72331047https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331047Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the radiant procession of the Blessed Sacrament ascends triumphantly through Lourdes, carried along by an immense throng enraptured with faith and hope, while Marie, newly healed, shares a luminous moment of communal joy and devotion beneath...2654false321fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fourth-day-iii--72331050https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331050Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the vast and fervent crowd at Lourdes gathers for a solemn procession at the Grotto, drawn by the mingling of hope, faith, and human suffering beneath the pale flicker of candles and the watchful eyes of the Virgin’s statue. Among them, the...2534false319fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fifth-day-iii--72331046https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331046Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a newly restored young lady joyously explores the bustling streets of Lourdes with her father, encountering eager vendors and the vibrant commerce of religious souvenirs that have transformed the town. Meanwhile, conversations with locals...3104false324fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fifth-day-ii--72331048https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331048Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which weary vigils and sudden sorrows mingle within the grim chambers of the Hotel of the Apparitions, reflecting the fragile dance of life and death among the pilgrims. Love in its many guises—ardent, maternal, paternal, and forbidden—illuminates...3023false323fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fifth-day-i--72331052https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331052Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the weary passage of time on the fifth day unfolds with a quiet persistence, and the weary pilgrims find themselves wrapped in the somber hues of anticipation and reflection. The day moves with a measured cadence, as the air is filled with...2274false322fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fifth-day-iv--72331051https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331051Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the bustling station at Lourdes becomes a vivid theatre of hope and despair as pilgrims prepare to depart on the white train, carrying away a mixture of healed and ailing souls, while intertwining human dramas unfold amid the fervour of faith...3152false325fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lourdes-the-fifth-day-v--72331053https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331053Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the weary pilgrims return from Lourdes aboard a rattling train, their spirits marked by mingled hope, grief, and quiet prayer, while the fragile Marie, newly healed, harbours a solemn vow that binds her fate. Amidst the fatigue and whispered...3004false326fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-2-part-1--72331280https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331280Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the young Abbe Pierre Froment arrives at the ancient, somber Palazzo Boccanera on the Via Giulia, discovering a mansion steeped in fading grandeur and wrapped in the silent shadows of its storied, pious lineage. Within its austere walls, he...2704false43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-1-part-1--72331279https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331279Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young French priest, Pierre Froment, arrives in Rome after a long journey and contemplates the Eternal City from the heights of San Pietro in Montorio, his gaze filled with a tender hope for a renewed faith and social redemption. Through...2580false41fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-1-part-2--72331282https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331282Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a contemplative soul surveys the majestic yet fractured visage of Rome, meditating on its triumphant past, its troubled present, and the hopeful future dreamed through the lens of a spiritual renewal; the narrative winds through the labyrinth...2534false42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-2-part-2--72331281https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331281Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young French abbé, Pierre Froment, arrives in a sombre and crumbling Rome to take up residence with the venerable Boccanera family, where he is drawn into a world of faded grandeur, delicate alliances, and whispered intrigues beneath the...2848false44fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-3-part-1--72331288https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331288Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, Pierre, is received in the dilapidated yet once stately residence of Cardinal Boccanera, where the grandeur of old Rome lingers amid faded splendour and the proud isolation of an unyielding ecclesiastical prince. As Pierre...2531false45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-3-part-2--72331289https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331289Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a devoted young priest seeks the favour of high ecclesiastical authorities to defend his controversial book, only to encounter the intricate rivalries and cautious politicking that pervade the Vatican’s shadowy corridors. Amidst generous...2327false46fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-4-part-1--72331283https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331283Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the young priest Pierre visits the venerable Count Orlando Prada, a hero of Italian independence, and listens to his fervent reflections on the sacrifices and struggles that forged modern Italy, as well as his sorrow at the nation's costly...2572false47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-5-part-1--72331284https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331284Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, delayed in his quest for papal audience, wanders the ancient ruin-strewn Palatine Hill of Rome, guided by a fervent old soldier whose tales weave legend and history into the crumbling stones and buried palaces. As he gazes...2552false49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-4-part-2--72331287https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331287Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the noble Orlando and his vigorous yet troubled son Luigi reveal the poignant complexities of family loyalty, fading ideals, and the harsh realities interwoven with the shifting social fabric of Rome; while the young priest Pierre, an...2523false48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-6-part-2--72331286https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331286Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest named Pierre is introduced to the splendours and contradictions of the Vatican, where pagan art and Christian ritual intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of Pope Leo XIII amid the secluded grandeur of the papal gardens....2580false412fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-5-part-2--72331292https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331292Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Pierre wanders the ancient Appian Way and contemplates the grand tombs and ruins that whisper of Rome’s imperial past and the humble faith of its early Christians, their catacombs a subterranean testament to hope and fraternity. He then...2530false410fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-6-part-1--72331294https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331294Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Pierre, struggling with delays and doubts amid the strained intrigues surrounding Benedetta's troubled divorce, finds himself drawn into the sombre salons and august corridors of the Vatican, seeking an audience with the Holy Father while...2622false411fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-7-part-1--72331290https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331290Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:30:06 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, drawn into the august ceremonies surrounding the arrival of a grand international pilgrimage at the Vatican, witnesses the overwhelming devotion and grandeur of the papal court, while grappling with the complex interplay of...2374false413fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-8-part1--72331291https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331291Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:30:06 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the young Abbé Pierre finds solace and companionship in a forgotten garden where he nurtures gentle hopes of awakening brotherly love in Benedetta, amid the melancholic beauty of autumnal Rome and the simmering tensions of the Boccanera...2955false415fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-7-part-2--72331298https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331298Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:30:06 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the young priest Pierre witnesses the grand ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica, a dazzling spectacle of religious pomp and fervent devotion that reveals the intricate interplay of faith, tradition, and temporal power within the Vatican’s...2304false414fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-8-part-2--72331285https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331285Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a group of visitors encounter the forlorn Gozzo family living amidst the unfinished ruins of Rome, revealing a city where ancient grandeur clashes with modern desolation, and where proud souls abide in resigned poverty. Amidst reflections on...2794false416fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-9-part-1--72331299https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331299Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Benedetta’s anxious hope for a resolution to her tangled affairs is momentarily overshadowed by a violent and mysterious attack on Dario, whose survival sparks a fierce outpouring of passion and devotion amidst the solemn quietude of their...2804false417fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-9-part-2--72331302https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331302Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the weary struggle over a marriage case reveals the entangled intrigues of Church authority and the costly toll of influence, while the restless soul of Rome is unveiled through the eyes of a contemplative young priest discovering the city's...2706false418fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-10-part-2--72331295https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331295Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a weary young priest named Pierre delves into the intricate, shadowy workings of the Roman Church, encountering fervent tales and whispered conspiracies of the mighty Jesuits, alongside the rivalries among cardinals and diverse religious...3343false420fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-10-part-1--72331296https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331296Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young French priest, Pierre, embarks on a cautious yet hopeful quest through Rome’s labyrinthine ecclesiastical hierarchy to defend his controversial book amid whispered intrigues and shadowy power struggles. He encounters a world of weary...3464false419fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-11-part-1--72331300https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331300Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Pierre journeys to the enchanting slopes of Frascati, where the mellow light and ancient villas set the stage for a meeting fraught with intricate allegiances and whispered ambitions surrounding the ailing pontiff and his contenders. There,...2591false421fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-11-part-2--72331293https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331293Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which three travellers journey across the vast and solemn Campagna towards Rome, sharing tales of intrigue, suspicion, and the shadowy fears that haunt the corridors of ecclesiastical power. Amid the lingering light of sunset and the lonely echoes...2551false422fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-12-part-1--72331301https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331301Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the city of Rome gathers in eager throngs for a grand ball at the Palazzo Buongiovanni, celebrating the betrothal of Celia to Lieutenant Attilio Sacco, amidst the mingling currents of old patrician pride and rising new power. Within the...2390false423fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-12-part-2--72331306https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331306Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the splendour and intricate social dance of a Roman ball reveal the intertwined fates and passions of its guests, from radiant young lovers to embittered aristocrats, all beneath the watchful eyes of their Majesties and ancient statues....2472false424fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-13-part-1--72331297https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331297Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a radiant morning in Rome stirs youthful hopes and dreams amid the warmth of an old garden, where joy and love intertwine with the shadows of fate and illness. The tranquil scene shifts as a sudden malady strikes a noble figure, and a fearful...2349false425fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-14-part-1--72331303https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331303Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, burdened by grief and hope, traverses the silent, majestic labyrinth of the Vatican on the eve of a long-anticipated audience with the Pope, reflecting upon the weighty history and spiritual destiny of the papacy. Within the...2967false427fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-13-part-2--72331304https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331304Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the shadowy intrigues and venomous rivalries of ecclesiastical power unfold with tragic swiftness, as poison claims its victim amidst whispered accusations and desperate pleas for divine mercy. The solemn dignity of faith confronts the...1950false426fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-15-part-1--72331307https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331307Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the sombre halls of the Boccanera palace bear witness to the tragic repose of two young lovers united even in death, while the mourners’ varied grief and reflections reveal the enduring clash of faith, passion, and ambition within the ancient...2793false429fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-15-part-2--72331309https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331309Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the intricate web of ecclesiastical politics and personal tragedies within the Roman curia is slowly unravelled through the eyes of a young priest, revealing bitter rivalries, secret influences, and profound sorrow amidst the shadows of...2762false430fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-14-part-2--72331310https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331310Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, filled with yearning and idealism, beseeches the aged and austere Leo XIII to heed the cries of the poor and guide the Church towards a new dawn of charity and justice; yet as the pontiff expounds the immutability of dogma,...2804false428fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-16-part-2--72331308https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331308Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young priest, Pierre, takes his leave of a somber and declining Rome, reflecting gravely on the dying embers of Catholicism amidst the city’s fading grandeur and the silent ruins of its ancient power. His thoughts turn from the collapse of...3059false432fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rome-chapter-16-part-1--72331305https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72331305Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Pierre takes a melancholic farewell of Rome, engaging in a weighty conversation with the venerable Orlando about the city’s troubled present and hopeful future, contemplating the slow creation of an Italian nation amidst decline and renewal....2806false431fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-author-s-preface--72729085https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729085Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a single family is set beneath the laws of heredity and environment, its members driven through society by appetite, blood, and circumstance. Their scattered lives become the anatomy of an age, tracing the rise and ruin of a regime through...233false52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-introduction--72729084https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729084Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a vast design of family, inheritance, and society is presented as the labour of a lifetime, born amid indifference and pursued through resistance.832false51fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-one-part-one--72729086https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729086Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the forlorn Aire Saint-Mittre, once a neglected burial ground steeped in silent decay and shadowed memories, is transformed into a lively wood-yard where rustic children play and gipsy caravans gather beneath the sheltering moon. Within this...2284false53fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-one-part-two--72729090https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729090Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Silvère and Miette, two young lovers, take a dreamy and tender walk through the moonlit countryside, their hearts entwined with hopes of love and liberty amidst the sombre chill of winter. They are soon stirred by the distant march of a...2709false54fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-two-part-one--72729087https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729087Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the contemplative town of Plassans, divided into noble, bourgeois, and working-class quarters, reveals its insular customs and the social stratifications that confine its inhabitants within invisible walls akin to the ancient ramparts...2361false55fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-two-part-two--72729088https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729088Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a family’s fortunes and ambitions unfold amid the restless stirrings of provincial life, where cunning, pride, and desire for advancement shape their struggles and disappointments over decades. The Rougons, marked by a blend of coarse...3951false56fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-three-part-two--72729089https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729089Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Félicité, guided by whispered confidences and secret letters, navigates the veiled intrigues of Plassans’ political allegiance as the storm of insurrection draws near, revealing the anxious conspiracies and fearful manoeuvres of her family...4115false58fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-three-part-one--72729092https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729092Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a provincial town slumbers amidst the distant upheavals of 1848, yet beneath the surface, cloaked intrigues and alliances between clergy, nobility, and bourgeoisie weave a cautious but potent political tapestry. Within the Rougons’ humble...2683false57fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-four-part-one--72729091https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729091Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the indolent and quarrelsome Antoine Macquart returns to Plassans embittered by a lost inheritance, plunging into a life of idleness, petty work, and domestic strife under the patient endurance of his robust wife Fine, while their children...3980false59fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-four-part-two--72729093https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729093Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the earnest young Silvère grows from a thoughtful apprentice to a fervent Republican, nurtured amidst the trials and grievances of his family’s divided fortunes, while his uncle Antoine fans the flames of political rancour and revolutionary...3779false510fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-five-part-one--72729099https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729099Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the fervour of insurrection carries young hearts along moonlit roads, while two innocent souls—Miette and Silvère—discover tender passions amid the sombre echoes of alarm bells and the shadowed confines of a provincial home. Their growing...3641false511fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-five-part-two--72729094https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729094Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two young souls discover a secret refuge beside an old well, where their innocent love blossoms amidst the whispered echoes and shimmering reflections of water, weaving their dreams and quiet joys into the long, radiant days and sheltered...3635false512fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-five-part-three--72729096https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729096Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two young lovers find their innocent affection blossoming amidst the gentle embrace of nature’s rivers and the silent whispers of an ancient burial-ground, their tender days shaded by conflicting notions of justice and familial hardship....2259false513fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-six-part-one--72729098https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729098Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the tranquil town of Plassans is stealthily reclaimed by a small band of determined reactionaries led by Rougon, whose cunning and resolve transform a night of peril into a quiet triumph amid the shadows of the mayor’s office. The whispers of...3758false514fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-six-part-three--72729095https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729095Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the anxious Rougons find themselves beleaguered by suspicion and misfortune amidst the turbulent aftermath of political upheaval, as letters intercepted and alliances forged reveal the fragile and precarious nature of their ambitions. Through...3773false516fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-six-part-two--72729097https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729097Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the restless town of Plassans awakens to a charged atmosphere of triumph and dread following the covert suppression of a nocturnal insurrection, with the Rougons rising as its uncertain leaders amidst murmurs of heroism and suspicion. As...4047false515fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-six-part-four--72729100https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729100Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the town of Plassans is gripped by a mounting terror as Rougon alone stands resolutely at the helm of its defence amidst panic and uncertainty, while his family and other citizens confront their own fears and ambitions against the looming...921false517fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fortune-of-the-rougons-chapter-seven--72729101https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729101Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:30:07 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the sombre shadows of war and political upheaval cast a grim pall over the town of Plassans, as the Rougon family navigates the turbulent aftermath with grim ambition and quiet dread, marked by haunting madness within their household and the...3681false518fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-one-part-one--72729190https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729190Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young and elegant woman, cloaked in the halcyon glamour of the Second Empire, journeys slowly through the autumnal Bois de Boulogne, her ennui and secret yearnings quietly unfurling amidst the glittering carriages and fading light....3262false62fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-preface--72729187https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729187Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the glittering corruption of the Second Empire is figured as a golden hunt, with Paris herself transformed into Renée, luxurious, fevered, debt-laden, and devoured by appetite. Beneath the balls, boulevards, speculations, and perfumed...901false61fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-two-part-one--72729188https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729188Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Aristide Rougon arrives in Paris with restless ambition after the Coup d'État, seeking fortune under a new name and navigating the fraught corridors of power and intrigue, all while wrestling with poverty and family ties. As sickness and...4159false64fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-one-part-two--72729189https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729189Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a lavish dinner party unfolds beneath glittering chandeliers and amid exquisite surroundings, where the guests engage in polite yet charged conversation, revealing the intricate social dances and subtle tensions of their station. Amidst the...3518false63fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-two-part-two--72729193https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729193Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the intricate negotiations surrounding a marriage contract reveal the subtle manoeuvrings of fortune and influence within a family of distinction, while Saccard, newly allied, sets his sights on the hidden opportunities offered by Paris’s...3766false65fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-three-part-one--72729196https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729196Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the delicate and precocious Maxime arrives in Paris to live with his stepmother Renée, whose lively spirit and sartorial splendour quickly captivate the boy, setting the stage for lessons in high society’s manners and follies. Meanwhile,...2555false66fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-three-part-two--72729191https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729191Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the restless and luxurious lives of the Saccard family unfold amidst the feverish splendour and moral decadence of Parisian society, where youthful desires mingle with calculated ambitions and the boundaries of pleasure and propriety blur. In...3798false67fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-four-part-one--72729201https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729201Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a restless and vivacious Renée, amid the worldly gaieties of Paris, seeks distraction from vague discontents and ventures into the nocturnal pleasures of a theatrical ball and a private supper, revealing a subtle complexity of desire and...3712false68fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-five-part-one--72729192https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729192Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the tangled intrigues of business and personal desire weave through the lives of Saccard, his distant wife Renée, and her young lover Maxime, set against the backdrop of Parisian opulence and speculative ventures. The narrative softly...3048false610fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-four-part-two--72729194https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729194Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a restless wife seeks financial relief through her husband’s speculations and a risky musical hall enterprise, while navigating the social intrigues and whispered scandals of Parisian high society. Their clandestine passion unfolds amid...4467false69fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-five-part-three--72729198https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729198Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the cunning financier Aristide Saccard orchestrates a complex scheme involving a public rupture and forged documents to secure financial advantage while navigating the intertwined social intrigues of Parisian high society. Amidst whispered...2271false612fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-five-part-two--72729200https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729200Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a young woman wrestles with secret turmoil amid the shadowed corners of Parisian society, her desires and despairs intertwined with the intrigues of family and fortune. Meanwhile, the wheels of ambition and deceit turn relentlessly around...2783false611fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-six-part-one--72729195https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729195Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the glittering society of Paris assembles at the Saccards' mansion for a lavish fancy dress ball centred around the elaborate tableaux vivants depicting the mythic tale of Narcissus and Echo, where intricate costumes and delicate performances...3449false613fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-six-part-two--72729199https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729199Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the shimmering revelry of a high society ball unfolds with whispered intrigues and delicate manoeuvres amid the salon’s glittering throng, while beneath the gaiety, tensions and secret passions quietly roar. The evening takes a subtle turn as...3743false614fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rush-for-the-spoil-chapter-seven--72729197https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729197Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Aristide Saccard and his fellow jurors traverse a muddy, desolate landscape of demolition and expropriation in Paris, pondering the ruins of forgotten homes and faded aristocratic retreats amid the city's transformation. Meanwhile, Renée,...3366false615fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-introduction--72729321https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729321Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the markets of Paris rise as a great belly of abundance, where flowers, flesh, hunger, and comfort are heaped together beneath the gaslight. Behind this vast larder lies the harsher struggle of the lean against the fat, as appetite governs...1602false71fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-one-part-one--72729319https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729319Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a weary stranger named Florent is found lying on a road at dawn by Madame Francois, who takes him in her vegetable-laden cart to the bustling, awakening markets of Paris, where he encounters the vibrant yet harsh life of the city’s early...3203false72fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-one-part-two--72729330https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729330Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the dawn breaks over the bustling markets of Paris, revealing a magnificent labyrinth of iron and glass where life swarms amid the overflowing produce and the mingled scents of fish, flowers, and fresh vegetables. Amid the vibrant chaos,...3361false73fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-two-part-one--72729333https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729333Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two brothers, haunted by sacrifice and hardship in their youth, forge a life of quiet devotion and contrasting fortunes amidst the bustling streets of Paris, one devoted to teaching and ideals, the other drawn to the warmth and craft of...3713false74fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-two-part-three--72729322https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729322Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the petty intrigues and suspicion of a market neighbourhood unfold amidst the culinary bustle of the Quenu-Gradelle household, as an enfeebled young man wrestles with his place among the prosperous and corpulent inhabitants, their world...3471false76fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-two-part-two--72729324https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729324Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the return of Florent to his family circle stirs a delicate balance of duty, affection, and reticence, as his kin navigate the complexities of inheritance and shelter amidst their modest trade. The bustling market life swirls around them,...3083false75fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-three-part-one--72729320https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729320Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which young Florent undertakes the role of inspector at the bustling fish market, encountering a vivid tapestry of maritime abundance and the intricate social dance among fishwives, clerks, and auctioneers. Amidst the riot of colours, voices, and...3540false77fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-three-part-two--72729326https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729326Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a beleaguered inspector endures the daily rigours and barbs of the fish market, finding a rare friendship in Claire and a surprising lively pupil in the spirited little Muche. Amidst the clamour and odours of the market, Florent’s quiet...3733false78fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-three-part-three--72729334https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729334Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a simmering rivalry between two market women casts a shadow over a once harmonious household, while a growing band of revolutionary conspirators gathers in a smoky back room to debate the fate of their nation. The quiet domestic sphere is...4359false79fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-four-part-one--72729325https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729325Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two foundlings, Marjolin and Cadine, are taken in by a kindly old market woman and grow up amidst the bustling, odorous labyrinth of the Parisian markets, their days filled with playful mischief and budding enterprise. As they mature, their...4192false710fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-four-part-two--72729323https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729323Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the vivid underworld of Parisian markets unfolds through the eyes of those who live and labour amidst its raw, primal bustle, revealing the stark contrasts of human character and society’s intricate hierarchies of flesh and spirit. Amidst...3519false711fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-five-part-one--72729327https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729327Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Madame Quenu, enveloped in the worldly and spiritual humours of her Parisian neighbourhood, seeks counsel from Abbé Roustan whilst navigating her unease about her brother-in-law’s hidden affairs, set against the lives and intrigues of market...3588false712fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-five-part-two--72729329https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729329Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the heated atmosphere of the market mingles with the pungent odours of cheese, casting a backdrop to the whispers and suspicions swirling around Florent’s shadowed past and his uneasy relations with the Quenu-Gradelles family. As rivalries...3430false713fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-five-part-three--72729328https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729328Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quietude of a modest pork shop belies the stirring unrest that creeps through the lives and loyalties of those within its sphere, as whispers of conspiracy and political fervour mingle with the humdrum routines of market life. Amidst the...3674false714fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-six-part-one--72729331https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729331Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a fiery zealot meticulously plans an insurrection centred on the Palais Bourbon, only to be haunted by a vivid and distressing contrast between the innocence of sunlit pigeons and the brutal reality of their forced fattening and slaughter in...1991false715fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fat-and-the-thin-chapter-six-part-two--72729332https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729332Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the simmering tensions of a Parisian market neighbourhood come to a head with arrests and conspiracies, revealing the complex interplay of loyalty, suspicion, and fortune among its inhabitants. As the community grapples with the fallout, the...2542false716fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-introduction--72729444https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729444Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the restless tides of France's struggle between Church and Republic set the stage for the quiet upheaval in the provincial town of Plassans, where ecclesiastical ambitions entwine with local lives in a delicate yet insistent fashion. Within...1030false81fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-one--72729449https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729449Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a quiet September evening unfolds gently upon the Mouret household, where the simple joys and small sorrows of a mother and her children are tenderly observed amid the soft fading light and peaceful garden. The arrival of a new tenant, a...1057false82fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-two--72729443https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729443Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a sombre, threadbare priest and his stoic mother arrive unexpectedly at the home of the bustling Mouret family, revealing quiet tensions over empty chambers and humble provisions beneath the warm glow of a provincial evening. Around the table...1781false83fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-three--72729461https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729461Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Monsieur Mouret becomes irresistibly intrigued by the mysterious and reclusive new tenant residing above him, casting a watchful eye over the silent second floor and enlisting his family's unwitting aid in uncovering the priest’s elusive...1680false84fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-four--72729442https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729442Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Mouret is led by the inscrutable Abbé Faujas into a sparsely furnished upper chamber that exudes an austere quietude, before they survey the contrasting gardens and characters of Plassans from the window. Amidst the murmurs of local politics...1650false85fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-five--72729438https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729438Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which old family rivalries and quiet suspicions mingle with the decorous social visits of Madame Rougon to the Mouret household, revealing undercurrents of jealousy and wary politeness beneath the surface of bourgeois hospitality. The curious...2025false86fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-seven--72729448https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729448Sun, 02 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quiet domestic life of the Mourets is gently stirred by the arrival of Abbé Faujas and his mother, whose presence and stories of charity introduce new concerns and simple pleasures within the household. The evenings unfold with measured...2338false88fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-six--72729446https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729446Sun, 02 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the newly arrived Abbé Faujas ventures into the social sphere of Plassans, enduring the whispered suspicions and guarded politeness of its notable families, while observing the subtle manoeuvrings and whispered scandals behind the grand...2463false87fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-eight--72729439https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729439Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Marthe, inspired by a fervent desire to provide sanctuary and refuge, embarks upon organising a charitable committee amidst the polite scepticism and discreet rivalries of Plassans’ local grandees, while the enigmatic Abbé Faujas quietly...2032false89fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-nine--72729441https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729441Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the gentle warmth of spring evenings provides a serene backdrop for Marthe’s devoted efforts to establish the Home of the Virgin and her growing, quiet fascination with the solemn tranquillity of Saint-Saturnin’s church. Meanwhile, domestic...2003false810fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-eleven--72729440https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729440Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the passing of Abbé Compan throws the clergy of Plassans into a quiet turmoil, exposing the delicate manoeuvrings and rivalries that shape the appointment of his successor. The new Curé, Abbé Faujas, enters society with a dignified composure,...2316false812fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-ten--72729458https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729458Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the tranquil summer wanes into autumn as Abbé Faujas quietly shepherds the opening of the Home of the Virgin, amidst the petty rivalries of its patronesses and the subtle unease of the Mouret household. Into this delicate fabric enter the...2103false811fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-twelve--72729452https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729452Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the new Curé of Saint-Saturnin's, Abbé Faujas, navigates the divided society of Plassans with quiet authority, fostering unexpected connections amidst suspicion and political intrigue, while establishing a novel club to engage the town’s...1960false813fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-thirteen--72729453https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729453Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a delicate youth, fragile as a flower yet possessed of a devout spirit, contemplates a future of sacred devotion under the gentle guidance of a learned abbé, while his father wrestles with a storm of doubt and melancholy within their silent...2125false814fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-fifteen--72729459https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729459Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Madame Mouret's fledgling devotion to the church deepens under the stern guidance of Abbé Faujas, even as domestic strife gnaws at her frail peace and her husband’s miserly temper darkens their home. Meanwhile, gossip and quiet intrigues...2864false816fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-fourteen--72729447https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729447Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the town of Plassans observes the subtle shifts of favour and suspicion surrounding Abbé Faujas and his rival, amidst the delicate interplay of religious and political influence enlivened by public ceremonies and private games. A tranquil...2266false815fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-sixteen--72729450https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729450Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the youthful Désirée’s lively spirit and untamed habits unsettle the household, leading to her removal and the gradual filling of the once quiet home with an assortment of new, colourful occupants whose petty rivalries and social...3043false817fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-seventeen--72729455https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729455Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Marthe Mouret, a woman of delicate health and fervent piety, endures a series of distressing and perplexing episodes within her household, marked by mysterious violence and mounting tension. Among the shadowed walls of Plassans, neighbours...2982false818fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-eighteen--72729457https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729457Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:30:05 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the once-respected Mouret becomes the subject of fearful gossip and scrutiny by the townsfolk of Plassans, his strange behaviour and nocturnal wanderings igniting a flurry of conjecture and suspicion. The social circle surrounding the...3260false819fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-nineteen--72729454https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729454Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:30:06 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the stirring momentum of an impending election enwraps the town of Plassans, as various parties jostle for influence with subtle alliances and whispered manoeuvres, while the newly arrived Abbé Faujas deftly cultivates both favour and...3045false820fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-twenty-one--72729451https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729451Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:30:06 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Marthe, frail and determined, undertakes a secret journey to visit her mad uncle in the asylum, where she confronts the harrowing reality of his condition, amidst the uneasy company of her uncle Macquart and the wary cook Rose. The episode...2023false822fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-twenty--72729456https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729456Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:30:06 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Marthe Mouret’s health and spirit waver under the stern watch of Abbé Faujas, while the grasping Trouches take careless possession of her household, stirring quiet resentment among the Rougons; the priest’s rising dominion sharpens into a...3811false821fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-twenty-three--72729463https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729463Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the household is steeped in anxious vigil as the dying Marthe lies still, while rumblings of suspicion and uneasy alliances surface amid the shrouded tensions of the night. A devastating fire engulfs the Mourets’ house, its crimson glow...2099false824fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-chapter-twenty-two--72729445https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729445Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Mouret escapes from the darkness of his prison cell into the somber night and returns to a house strangely transformed and burdened by unseen shadows, where the familiar has become uncanny and his search for Marthe leads him through an eerie...1936false823fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conquest-of-plassans-notes--72729460https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729460Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the reader is offered a collection of scholarly notes and references that quietly illuminate the historical and familial backdrop surrounding the narrative’s unfolding. These annotations gently frame the atmosphere and hint at deeper...105false825fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-introduction--72729527https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729527Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which we are introduced to Abbé Serge Mouret and the quaint Provençal village of Les Artaud, where the tension between divine law and natural instinct is keenly felt amidst the vivid rural life and enchanting landscapes. The narrative unfolds...905false91fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-one--72729529https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729529Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the humble servant La Teuse attends the quiet, worn church with a dutiful fuss, preparing its altar and sacred vestments with attentive care, whilst the young Abbé Mouret readies himself for mass in the early morning chill. The small village...707false92fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-three--72729537https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729537Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the gentle Abbé Mouret settles into his humble parsonage life, enduring La Teuse’s sharp but loving ministrations and managing the innocent antics of his sister Désirée amid the rustic decay that surrounds them. There is a quiet harmony in...561false94fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-two--72729543https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729543Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the solemn ritual of mass unfolds within a humble country church, the priest’s devout actions and whispered prayers intermingling with the gentle intrusion of sunlight, sparrows, and the vibrant signs of spring’s life pressing in through...1224false93fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-four--72729534https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729534Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret, seeking refuge from the clamor of village life, finds solace in the solitude and sprawling desolation surrounding the ageing church perched above Les Artaud, a small, insular community of hardy souls bound by blood and soil....892false95fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-five--72729541https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729541Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret encounters the unruly village children and a stern Brother Archangias in the churchyard, whose harsh and zealous manner contrasts sharply with the priest’s own gentle and contemplative spirit. As they traverse the rugged...914false96fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-seven--72729540https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729540Sat, 15 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a scorching morning finds Abbé Mouret encountering his kindly but pragmatic uncle, Doctor Pascal, and together they journey towards the isolated and mysterious Paradou, a once-grand estate now wild and forsaken. Along the way, the doctor...720false98fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-six--72729539https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729539Sat, 15 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the priest Abbé Mouret wanders through a dry, sun-baked landscape, his calm interrupted by the earthy lives and struggles of the local peasants, particularly concerning the delicate matter of Rosalie and Fortune’s relationship. He confronts...856false97fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-eight--72729528https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729528Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the new Curé of Les Artaud encounters the solitary Jeanbernat, a sceptical old man steeped in philosophical doubt and resigned to his isolated life amid a sunlit, tranquil garden. As the encounter unfolds, the presence of the lively and...978false99fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-nine--72729550https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729550Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the journey alongside the Paradou’s formidable wall reveals the wild dominion of a girl named Albine, who has retreated from refined society into an untamed existence under the care of the rugged Jeanbernat. Amidst the murmurs of the trees...417false910fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-ten--72729555https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729555Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret returns to the parsonage, finding himself met with the sharp displeasure of La Teuse, whose stern reproaches belie a tender concern beneath her brusque manner. As peace is gradually restored, the quiet repose of Désirée sleeping...689false911fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-eleven--72729532https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729532Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which we witness the tender devotion of Desirée to her flourishing poultry-yard, a lively sanctuary of birds and beasts that she nurtures with innocent delight and maternal zeal. The presence of her brother, the Abbé Mouret, casts a reflective...1589false912fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-thirteen--72729531https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729531Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret enters the church to find a lively group of village girls busily decorating the Lady altar with boughs and laughter, under the watchful yet exasperated eye of the old servant La Teuse. Amidst the mingling of piety and youthful...783false914fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-twelve--72729564https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729564Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the Abbé Mouret engages in conversation with Brother Archangias about the concerns and customs of the valley’s villagers, observing the mingled struggle and vitality of their daily lives as twilight falls. Amidst lively domestic scenes and...1352false913fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-fifteen--72729530https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729530Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret, ensconced in the quietude of his spacious, old-fashioned room, recalls with tender reverence the disciplined and devout days of his seminary life, steeped in ritual, prayer, and the gentle unfolding of his faith. The narrative...1542false916fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-fourteen--72729536https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729536Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the young Abbé Mouret, enraptured by a devotion to the Virgin Mary that is both tender and exalted, finds his prayers and thoughts drawn deep into the luminous and intricate mysteries of her life and divine roles, nurturing an innocence...2339false915fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-sixteen--72729535https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729535Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret, seized by a sudden feverish malaise, contemplates the serene yet potent landscape and his own past, feeling a mingling of spiritual fervour and unsettling human sensations. As the night deepens, the vivid memory of a lively young...1051false917fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-one-chapter-seventeen--72729538https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729538Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the young priest Abbé Mouret, beset by anguish and fever, utters a fervent and tender prayer before the serene statue of the Immaculate Conception, pleading for innocence and purity beyond mortal frailty. His delicate soul seeks to cast off...781false918fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-two--72729551https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729551Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the relentless autumn rain envelops the earth and Serge’s fevered spirit, drawing him into a delirious lament for the lost sun and the dormant seeds beneath the soil, whilst Albine tends him with tender, trembling hope. Through storm and...325false920fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-one--72729557https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729557Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a fragile young man named Serge, newly recovered from a harrowing illness, awakens in a softly decaying chamber tended by the gentle and devoted Albine, who surrounds him with quiet care and tender attentions. As he drifts between waking and...932false919fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-three--72729544https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729544Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the gentle renewal of spring coaxed a fragile figure back to life, his senses slowly reawakening to the sunlight, the verdant garden, and the symphony of nature just beyond his window. The sweet presence of Albine seemed to embody the very...878false921fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-four--72729556https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729556Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the vast and untamed Paradou, a garden lost in nature’s luxuriance and resplendent in the warm embrace of sunlight, unfolds like a secret world reverting to its primal splendour, its once-ordered beauty now submerged beneath flourishing...550false922fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-six--72729533https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729533Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two souls awaken to one another amidst a wild, blossoming wood of roses, where nature’s luxuriance mirrors their tender and virginal union, woven with delicate scents and luminous light. Their innocent communion unfolds in languid embraces...1363false924fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-five--72729546https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729546Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:30:04 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the tender ministrations of Albine nurture a fragile being through the slow and uncertain rebirth of life, as his senses awaken anew amidst the verdant splendour of the garden. Yet beneath the genial bloom of health lies a stillness in his...1174false923fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-seven--72729542https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729542Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Albine and Serge wander through a luxuriant and wildly overgrown flower garden, their footsteps weaving amidst a vivid and fragrant tapestry of blooms that seem to celebrate their innocent companionship. The garden, a century-old paradise...1557false925fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-eight--72729560https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729560Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge and Albine spend a sunlit day exploring the faded elegance of the Paradou’s chamber, sharing whispered tales of a mysterious lady’s tragic past and an elusive garden retreat said to embody perfect happiness. Their playful discovery of...936false926fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-ten--72729548https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729548Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which two young souls venture forth into the lush, sun-drenched meadows and gently flowing streams that cloak the countryside, discovering a serene and enchanting realm of green waters, vivid blooms, and whispered breezes. They play the roles of...1129false928fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-nine--72729553https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729553Tue, 25 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Albine, with impish delight and mischievous affection, leads Serge on a frolicsome ramble through the wild and fruit-laden orchard of the Paradou, where ancient trees, tangled boughs, and secret groves form a playground of innocent adventure...1311false927fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-eleven--72729558https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729558Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge and Albine, wandering beneath the vast cathedral-like arches of the ancient forest, discover a new, tender dimension of their companionship, stirred by the tranquil majesty of the trees around them. Their shared journey through shadow...1517false929fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-twelve--72729559https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729559Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:30:03 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Albine and Serge, newly awakened to love, find themselves plunged into a restless and feverish unease amid the strange and overpowering scents and sights of the wild garden’s hidden springs and shadowy groves. As they wander through realms of...1036false930fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-fourteen--72729545https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729545Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge and Albine find themselves imprisoned by the haunted beauty of the room and the garden, tormented by painted cupids and the lingering scent of a vanished presence that stirs forbidden longings and fears. Amidst their silent suffering,...1479false932fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-thirteen--72729547https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729547Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Albine and Serge take joyous and sovereign possession of the vast Paradou, where nature in all its splendour—from blossoming rose thickets to lively streams and forest shadows—embraces them with a caress of innocent vitality and...613false931fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-sixteen--72729554https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729554Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge and Albine, newly united in love, wander the garden with a joyous yet tender uncertainty that captures the fragile awakening of their hearts and the subtle power play between them. Their happiness becomes tinged with unease as they find...559false934fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-fifteen--72729568https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729568Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge and Albine, drawn by the gentle guidance of a living garden, find themselves enveloped in a sanctuary of natural splendour beneath a majestic tree that seems to pulse with the very vitality of the earth. The lovers, enthralled by the...922false933fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-two-chapter-seventeen--72729549https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729549Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge confronts the painful awakening of his past and the encroaching reality of the world beyond the garden’s shelter, while Albine implores him to remember their love and the sanctuary they once shared. Their tender, desperate entanglement...788false935fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-one--72729552https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729552Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret solemnly unites Fortune and Rosalie in marriage within the humble village church, offering an earnest and heartfelt discourse on the sacred duties and virtues of wedded life amidst the tender yet lively distractions of churchgoers...1340false936fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-two--72729561https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729561Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret, pale and fragile, is tenderly cared for by La Teuse and Desirée, whose youthful vitality and affection contrast with his solemn devotion and melancholy. The simple pleasures of a morning repast beneath the mulberry trees unfold...493false937fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-three--72729569https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729569Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the gentle ministrations of La Teuse seek to alleviate Abbé Mouret’s brooding silence and obscure torment, revealing the tender conflict between duty and hidden anguish within his soul. The solemn parsonage setting hums with quiet gossip and...883false938fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-four--72729571https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729571Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret, recovering his vigour, devotes himself with humble ardour to the mending and beautifying of his church, seeking solace in the steady motions of plastering and painting beneath the watchful eyes of his simple flock. Yet even...702false939fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-five--72729574https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729574Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the rigorous Brother Archangias imposes his stern vigilance over Abbé Mouret, shadowing his every step and scrutinising his thoughts with relentless suspicion, while a late-night scuffle with the cantankerous Jeanbernat disrupts the village's...1636false940fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-six--72729566https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729566Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the Abbé Mouret, steeped in fervent devotion to the Cross, experiences a serene revival of faith and grace as he celebrates high mass amid the humble yet heartfelt reverence of his parishioners. Meanwhile, his uncle Pascal arrives with grave...1100false941fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-seven--72729572https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729572Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the lively Desirée, amid her pastoral cares and throng of insatiable farm creatures, encounters the pale and feverish Albine by the graveyard, and together they stealthily await the conclusion of Abbé Mouret’s catechism within the parsonage....1340false942fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-nine--72729570https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729570Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the tormented priest experiences a profound and agonising spiritual battle within the silent church, torn between heavenly grace and earthly temptation, his mind awash with visions of glory, blasphemy, and the overwhelming presence of a...3147false944fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-eight--72729577https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729577Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Albine seeks out Abbé Mouret in the somber church, yearning to rekindle their past intimacy amidst his steadfast devotion to his priestly vows, and the sacred confines of the chapel become a stage for their poignant confrontation between...2307false943fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-eleven--72729567https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729567Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Abbé Mouret, overcome by a profound stupor and weariness, contemplates the burdens of his altered existence and the practical difficulties of a life beyond his priestly calling. With a fragile resignation, he journeys to the Paradou, finding...639false946fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-ten--72729576https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729576Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the quiet priest Abbé Mouret wrestles silently with inner turmoil hidden beneath a calm exterior, while the lively Brother Archangias disrupts the convent with raucous antics and a ceaseless psalmody. Amidst the evening’s boisterous card game...793false945fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-thirteen--72729563https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729563Fri, 04 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Brother Archangias, roused to stern censure, confronts Abbé Mouret upon his return from the Paradou, his bitter words intertwining with the priest’s own silent reckoning. The church, with its austere solemnity, becomes a sanctuary for the...430false948fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-twelve--72729575https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729575Fri, 04 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Serge returns to the Paradou to reunite with Albine, but the familiar garden, once a sanctuary of love and warmth, now seems cold and lifeless to him, casting a shadow over their tender reunion. Amidst the fading beauty of autumn, their...1631false947fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-fourteen--72729562https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729562Sat, 05 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Albine, wandering through the fading splendour of the Paradou, wrestles with a profound and silent anguish, perceiving the garden as both a betrayer and a tender guide towards the inevitable end of life. In a final rapturous communion with...1168false949fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-fifteen--72729565https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729565Sat, 05 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the sudden news of a young woman’s death stirs a tempest of grief and recrimination within the quiet village, as an anguished doctor and a mourning gardener confront the fragile boundary between loss and finality amidst the fading splendour...721false950fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/abbe-mouret-s-transgression-book-three-chapter-sixteen--72729573https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729573Sun, 06 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the solemn rhythms of village life intertwine with the harsh realities of death and renewal, as the villagers gather to lay to rest Albine and the innocent child while the natural world pulses on with relentless vitality. Amidst the mournful...1174false951fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-one-part-one--72729650https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729650Mon, 07 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a summer afternoon's session of the Corps Législatif unfolds with languid deputies, whispered conversations, and an air heavy with political intrigue amid the Chamber's ornate surroundings. The uncertain fate of Eugène Rougon, entwined with...1515false102fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-preface--72729654https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729654Mon, 07 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which a discerning preface unfolds the tapestry of the Second French Empire, deftly blending historical truth with artistic narration to illuminate the realities behind Émile Zola’s *His Excellency Eugène Rougon*. The text surveys the vivid...1953false101fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-two-part-one--72729649https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729649Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Eugène Rougon, having tendered his resignation, sets about disposing of his official papers with the assistance of trusted friends in a sunlit chamber overlooking the Seine, revealing with candid humour and quiet reflection the burdens and...1198false104fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-one-part-two--72729651https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729651Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Eugène Rougon takes his place in the Chamber, where the report on a forthcoming bill stirs a mixed assembly between solemnity and indifference, echoed by the curious eyes and quiet whispers of those in the galleries. The proceedings unfold...2019false103fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-two-part-three--72729652https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729652Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Eugène Rougon, surrounded by a motley gathering of supplicants and friends, dispenses advice and consolation in the midst of fraught petitions and lingering hopes; while the weight of political and social debts presses upon him, his jovial...1735false106fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-two-part-two--72729653https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729653Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which Eugène Rougon, amidst a gathering of old friends and political allies, addresses his resignation with a mixture of magnanimity and veiled calculation, all while the room hums with whispered suspicions and the weight of court intrigues. The...1481false105fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-three-part-two--72729656https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729656Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the languid atmosphere of a Parisian salon unfolds through sharp, witty exchanges and the subtle artifice of Clorinde’s charm, as Rougon encounters both acquaintances and confidences beneath the veneer of political and social intrigue. The...1446false108fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-three-part-one--72729658https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729658Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the austere Eugène Rougon finds himself drawn into the mysterious world of Countess Balbi and her enigmatic daughter Clorinde, whose captivating presence and tangled past intrigue him beyond his usual icy detachment. Amidst a lively salon of...1318false107fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-four-part-one--72729655https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729655Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which the bustling streets of Paris are transformed into a grand stage for an imperial baptism, with throngs of eager spectators filling every vantage point along the procession's route beneath a summery blue vault. Amidst the spectacle, we...1820false1010fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/his-excellency-eugene-rougon-chapter-three-part-three--72729657https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72729657Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:30:02 +0000Émile ZolaIn which an encounter unfolds between the ambitious Rougon, the captivating Clorinde, and the worldly M. de Plouguern, their conversation drifting from portraits and power to religion and superstition, all set against the mellowing light of a Parisian...1544false109full