AUDIOBOOK - NANA. by Émile Zola. Part 5.
Channel: Audio Oasis
Date: 13/04/2023

Part: 5. chapter : 5

The drama critic Monsieur Fauchery takes his cousin la Faloise to the theater for the premiere of a new musical featuring a new star called Nana, who lacks talent but embodies sexuality. Nana's performance causes a sensation, and soon after, visitors begin to call upon her. Among them are the pious Count Muffat and his father-in-law, the Marquis de Chouard, who are visibly affected by her presence. As Nana's reputation spreads, foreign dignitaries come to see her, and she acquires several lovers, including Count Muffat and the wealthy banker Steiner.

Nana's relationships with her lovers are tumultuous, and she often becomes dissatisfied with them. She forms an infatuation with an actor named Fontan and throws out both Muffat and Steiner when they catch her in bed with him. Nana then renews her relationship with Muffat, who buys her an expensive mansion, furnishes it elegantly, and gives her a monthly allowance. However, Nana continues to have relations with other men and even experiments with lesbian love.

Despite her insatiable demands for money and pleasure, Nana becomes bored and spends money wildly, leaving her lovers destitute and bankrupt. Count Muffat remains imprisoned by her behavior until he unexpectedly discovers her in bed with his father-in-law, and he is shocked back into his senses. However, by then, he is also a broken man.

Nana disappears from Paris, and rumors about her fantastic lovers and huge sums of money grow. Eventually, it is discovered that she is in a hotel dying of smallpox. Nana's body lies unclaimed in the hotel room.