Published in 1890, Les Romanciers d'Aujourd'hui (The Novelists of Today) is Charles Le Goffic's guided tour through the bustling literary landscape of late 19th-century France. Think of it less as a dry textbook and more as a series of lively, opinionated portraits. Le Goffic, a novelist and critic himself, sits you down and talks about the writers shaping his world.

The Story

There's no traditional plot here. Instead, Le Goffic structures his book as a series of essays, each focusing on a major literary figure or movement of his time. He discusses giants like Émile Zola and the gritty detail of Naturalism, the psychological depth of Paul Bourget, and the poetic realism of others. He doesn't just describe their work; he reacts to it. He argues with their methods, admires their successes, and questions their philosophies. The 'story' is the unfolding drama of French literature itself, caught in a moment of intense change and debate, filtered through one man's sharp and passionate perspective.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book so compelling is its immediacy. Le Goffic isn't looking back from a distance of 100 years with all our settled opinions. He's in the thick of it, trying to make sense of the art being created around him. His insights feel fresh and urgent, even when you disagree with him. You get a real sense of the personalities involved—the rivalries, the trends, the burning questions of what a novel should even be. Reading it is like listening in on a brilliant, slightly biased conversation about books that were, for him, brand new. It reminds you that literary criticism at its best is a personal engagement with art, not just a checklist of themes.

Final Verdict

This one is perfect for readers who love French literature, literary history, or smart book chat. If you've ever enjoyed Zola, Maupassant, or the Bourget and wondered what their contemporaries thought of them, this is your direct line. It's also a great pick for anyone who enjoys critical essays with personality. Just know you're not getting a novel—you're getting a front-row seat to a defining conversation in literary history, hosted by a guide who isn't afraid to share his strong opinions. A truly unique glimpse into the workshop of a nation's storytelling.