Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 184 (Bonus Chapter for 1000 Votes) Paris is in an uproar! Europe is in an uproar!
The first reader was a young college student who practically rushed up to Zola, so excited he was almost incoherent: "Mr. Zola! I... I like you so much!"
I love all your novels!

Zola solemnly accepted the copy of "Night at Médan" from him, signed his name on the title page, and asked with unusual kindness, "What's your name, young man?"

“Jean-Pierre, sir!”

"Dedicated to the courageous Jean-Pierre, may the light of literature live on forever. Émile Zola."

Zola wrote an inscription, and the university student took the book as if it were a treasure, bowing deeply with a flushed face as he left.

Next up is Maupassant's stage.

A plump lady squeezed to the front of the table and said excitedly to Maupassant, "Mr. Maupassant! 'Boule de Suif' made me cry so much I soaked my handkerchief!"

Those hypocrites! Poor girl!

Maupassant signed his name with a flourish and joked, "Madam, your tears are the best compliment to my story."

Hopefully, this hasn't made you lose faith in all 'decent people.'" He finished speaking, and a burst of laughter erupted around him.

Long queues formed in front of Lionel. Many people came because of his reputation as a "conscience of the Sorbonne" and the impact of "Old Man Milon".

"Old Man Milon... God, I didn't sleep well last night, Old Man Milon's smile kept appearing in my mind."

"Sir, are you really as young as the newspapers say?"

Lionel patiently signed autographs one by one, exchanged brief greetings, and maintained a calm and sincere demeanor.

……

The autograph session lasted for a full eight hours, with only a half-hour break in between.

The writers returned to the second floor of the "Charpentier Bookshelf," where coffee and pastries had been prepared, and Charpentier had even opened a few bottles of fine wine!
The tea on the long table was changed pot after pot, and the writers' wrists began to ache, but their enthusiasm remained undiminished.

They heard countless sincere compliments and answered many strange or profound questions.

For the first time, they felt the impact of their words so clearly, a direct feedback that no newspaper commentary could provide.

During this time, a small incident also occurred.

A young man finally reached the table, placed a copy of "The Night of the Médan" in front of Zola, and excitedly said in heavily accented French, "Mr. Zola! I've finally met you!"
I came all the way from Moscow, a full three days! Just to see you in person and get your autograph!

Not only him, but Lionel also encountered readers who came from London, Vienna, and even Berlin.

The long queue has had an impact that extends far beyond Paris, spreading throughout Europe.

As the autograph session drew to a close at 6 p.m., everyone was exhausted, but their faces were glowing with excitement and satisfaction.

Preliminary estimates suggest that they sold over 5000 copies of "Meitang Night Meeting" within eight hours!
This does not include the number of books normally sold in bookstores.

George Charpentier looked at the warehouse, which was almost emptied and kept being restocked, and couldn't stop smiling.

Zola took the water glass handed to him by his assistant and took a big gulp.

Watching the crowd gradually disperse but still excitedly discussing, he said to Lionel beside him, "Leon, I think... you're right."

This is truly different from a salon; it's a...completely new force. I've never felt so close to my readers.

His previous indifference had long been replaced by a subtle sense of ecstasy.

The feeling of being the center of attention, especially the attention of sincere readers, is enough to touch any proud heart.

Maupassant rubbed his aching wrists, leaned closer and said with a grin, "Although I'm exhausted like a dog, it feels really good!"

Especially the gazes of those beautiful ladies… Leon, your idea is brilliant!

Looking at the complex expressions on his companions' faces—a mixture of exhaustion, excitement, and a sense of accomplishment—Lionel knew that the relationship between literature and the public might be entering a new phase from this day forward.

------

Just as Lionel had predicted, the groundbreaking book signing event by the "Seven Médan" immediately became headline news in all the Parisian newspapers. Public opinion quickly polarized, sparking a major debate about the authors' identity, literary value, and commercial marketing.

Critics have called the event a populist act, or even a victory for literary democracy.

Le Figaro ran a striking headline: "Literature Enters the Masses: Médan Writers' Group's Pioneering Book Signing Event Shakes Europe":
Yesterday, a deeply moving scene unfolded at "Charpentier's Bookshelf".

Seven outstanding writers, including Zola, Maupassant, and Sorel, bravely stepped out of their private salons and engaged in an eight-hour face-to-face dialogue with their loyal readers.

This is not flattery, nor is it mercenary; rather, it is the most vivid embodiment of the spirit of the Republic in the field of literature! This marks the arrival of an era in which literature truly belongs to the people!

The commentary in *La Repubblica* was even more impassioned, with a headline brimming with a fighting spirit: "Crush Elitism! The Seven Gentlemen of Meitang Declare War on the Old Literary Order with Their Signatures!"
When Mr. Zola signed autographs for the workers, when Mr. Maupassant talked with the shop assistant, and when Mr. Sorel accepted the tributes from visitors from afar, they were practicing the spirit of the Republic!
This is the loudest slap in the face to those conservatives who still confine literature to aristocratic salons!

The long queues outside Charpentier's bookshelves were the people's votes, proclaiming a complete victory for progressive ideas!

While some praised it, others criticized it. Many newspapers and commentators condemned the event as vulgar, mercenary, and uncivilized.

The conservative newspaper *The Debate* was full of sarcasm in its headline: "Writer or Salesman?"
When did respected writers start having to sit on the street like department store salesmen, hawking their products?

Literary creation is a sacred spiritual activity that requires a sense of distance and mystery to maintain its authority.

Such large-scale, intimate contact with the public, even catering to their autograph requests, undoubtedly vulgarizes and commodifies art.

The "Seven Sons of Meitang" are more like seven clowns in a circus, taking the stage under the publisher's direction and attracting attention with their signatures.

How many of those queuing people truly understand the essence of literature? This is a sign of literary decline, clear evidence of the deterioration of Parisian cultural taste!

The controversy swept through all the newspapers and salons in Paris in just a few days, causing the fame of "The Night at Médan" and the "Seven Men of Médan" to spread at an explosive speed, far beyond the circle of literature lovers.

Immediately afterwards, the doorstep of the "Charpentier's Shelf" bookstore was almost worn down by representatives sent by booksellers from all over the country.

Orders poured in from Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, demanding an urgent reprint of "The Night Party at Médan".

George Charpentier had no choice but to direct the printing plant to operate day and night.

Then, even more amazing invitations began to arrive at the hands of the writers, especially Zola and Lionel.

Hatchards, London’s largest bookstore chain, has sent a formal invitation to all or at least the main members of the “Seven Sons of Meitang” to visit London for a book signing event.

They promised to provide first-class train and cabin tickets to and from Paris and London, luxury hotel accommodations in London, and a substantial "appearance fee."

Not to be outdone, the Vienna-based Hugh & Mann Publishing House invited them, promising to arrange book signings, salon discussions, and even attendance at a court concert.

Several major bookstores in St. Petersburg and Moscow jointly extended an invitation, offering extremely generous compensation, even more so than the British, despite the long distance.

Even bookstores in Berlin have extended invitations...

When these invitations were brought to "Tuesdays at Charpentier," they caused another sensation.

Holding the letter from Hatchards Bookshop, Maupassant exclaimed excitedly, "God, London! I've always wanted to go!"

Huysmann, on the other hand, longed for Vienna: "Court concerts, tsk..."

César patted Leonard on the shoulder: "And Moscow! Leon, has your influence reached Russia yet?"

Zola looked at the invitations on the table from major cultural capitals of Europe, his feelings a mix of emotions.

On the one hand, he enjoyed the unprecedented feeling of being sought after; on the other hand, his inherent aloofness as a writer kept him wary of purely commercial activities.

But he had to admit that Lionel's idea of ​​a "signing session" did indeed open a new world, bringing unexpected and enormous prestige and practical benefits.

But Lionel, faced with these invitations that offered both free travel and generous rewards, gave his friends in the salon an embarrassed smile:
"If you're going, could you postpone it for a few days? I haven't finished writing a script yet..."

(4 chapters complete. Please vote with monthly tickets! I'd like to add another chapter tomorrow!)

(End of this chapter)