Forget the idea of a stuffy, academic critique. Les Contemporains, 2ème Série is a collection of lively essays where Jules Lemaître, one of France's most prominent late-19th-century critics, shares his thoughts on the authors who were his neighbors in the literary world. He writes about them not as distant historical figures, but as active rivals, friends, and contemporaries.

The Story

There isn't a single plot, but there is a clear narrative thread: the story of French literature finding its way into the modern age. Each essay focuses on a different author—like Émile Zola, Alphonse Daudet, or Edmond de Goncourt—and their recent work. Lemaître dissects their styles, praises their strengths, and pokes holes in what he sees as their weaknesses. He questions Zola's intense focus on the grim details of life, appreciates Daudet's warmth and humor, and examines the precise observations of the Goncourts. Reading it is like flipping through a critic's personal journal as he tries to make sense of the exciting, sometimes chaotic, literary movement happening right outside his door.

Why You Should Read It

This book is special because it removes the hindsight. We often study literary movements after they've been defined and sorted by history. Lemaître has no such map. He's reacting in real time, which makes his insights feel urgent and genuine. You get his immediate admiration, his confusion, and his occasional frustration. His writing is conversational and packed with personality; he’s not afraid to be charmed by an author one moment and skeptical the next. It makes the whole period feel alive and contentious, which it absolutely was. You're not just learning about the debates on Naturalism versus Idealism; you're dropped right into the middle of one.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love French literature and want to understand its heartbeat during a revolutionary period. It’s also a great pick for anyone who enjoys critics with a strong, engaging voice. If you've ever read Zola or Maupassant and wondered what the smart set was saying about them at the time, this is your backstage pass. It’s less of a formal study and more of a brilliant, opinionated conversation—the kind that makes you see classic books in a completely new light.