Are you planning on reading the best books of Emile Zola but don’t know where to begin? Well, we’ve got you covered!
Emile Zola, a French novelist, journalist, and playwright, had a profound impact on literature by championing naturalism – a movement dedicated to portraying life’s raw reality, including its social, economic, and psychological influences on human behavior.
Zola’s extensive body of work includes over 60 books, but his standout accomplishment is the 20-novel series known as Les Rougon-Macquart. This literary masterpiece immerses readers in the tumultuous history of a family during the Second French Empire.
Within these pages, Zola skillfully explores gripping themes such as class conflicts, human desires, morality, the role of genetics, and societal transformations.
Although each novel in the series can be read as a standalone story, they feature recurring characters and interconnected events, providing readers with a rich and immersive experience.
Emile Zola’s novels serve as windows to the past, providing a vivid and authentic glimpse into the world of his time. Here’s a list of some the best books of Emile Zola that you should read and enjoy.
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9 Best Books Of Emile Zola
1. Thérèse Raquin (1868)
Thérèse Raquin is one of Émile Zola’s early and quite startling novels.
The story revolves around the life of Thérèse, who finds herself stuck in a loveless marriage with her cousin Camille, who’s not in the best of health. As fate would have it, she falls head over heels for Laurent, a friend of Camille’s. Together, they hatch a plan to get rid of Camille and start a new life together.
However, their dark deed leaves them haunted by guilt and paranoia, driving their love into a pit of hatred and violence. Thérèse Raquin is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into themes like adultery, murder, remorse, and madness.
2. Germinal (1885)
Germinal is often considered Émile Zola’s masterpiece and a highly influential novel. It takes us to northern France in the 1860s, where coal miners struggle against harsh conditions, exploitation, and violence.
The story follows the rise of a socialist movement led by the idealistic Etienne Lantier, who belongs to the Rougon-Macquart family. Through its powerful and realistic narrative, Germinal sheds light on the social injustices and human suffering caused by capitalism.
This book is the 13th installment in Zola’s remarkable series, Les Rougon-Macquart.
3. L’Assommoir (1877)
This book is the 7th installment in the Les Rougon-Macquart series, and it’s one of Zola’s most heart-wrenching and true-to-life stories. The novel’s title, L’Assommoir, roughly translates to English as “The Stunner,” which is an allusion to the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.
L’Assommoir delves into the life of Gervaise Macquart, a hardworking laundress trying to make ends meet in the gritty streets of Paris. Along her journey, she ties the knot with Coupeau, a roofer who turns to alcoholism following a tragic accident. To make matters worse, her abusive ex-husband, Lantier, resurfaces to haunt her. Gervaise’s life is a heartbreaking tale of poverty, hardship, violence, and addiction.
L’Assommoir is a poignant social drama that sheds light on the devastating impact of alcoholism and urban poverty on the lives of the working class.
4. Nana (1880)
Nana is the 9th book in the Les Rougon-Macquart series, and it’s one of Zola’s most talked-about works.
This book tells the story of Nana Coupeau, a stunning and alluring courtesan who knows how to use her charm and allure to control and sometimes ruin men from all walks of life.
Nana symbolizes the decadence and corruption of the Second Empire, and she’s also a victim of her own family’s issues. The book truly dives into critiquing the moral decline and hypocrisy of French society at the time.
5. Au Bonheur des Dames (1883)
Au Bonheur des Dames, or The Ladies’ Paradise in English, marks the 11th installment in the Les Rougon-Macquart series, showcasing Zola’s more optimistic and vibrant storytelling.
The book tells the tale of Octave Mouret, an innovative entrepreneur who pioneers a massive department store, ushering in a new era of consumerism and capitalism. In the narrative, we also follow the journey of Denise Baudu, a young saleswoman who works at Mouret’s establishment and courageously rebuffs his romantic pursuits.
Au Bonheur des Dames serves as a captivating and lively depiction of how urbanization, industrialization, and commerce transformed the landscape of Paris.
6. L’Oeuvre (1886)
The title, when translated directly as The Work (like a piece of art), is usually presented in English as The Masterpiece – or sometimes, His Masterpiece.
This is the 14th novel in the Les Rougon-Macquart series, and one of Zola’s most personal and autobiographical works.
The book L’Oeuvre or The Masterpiece tells the story of Claude Lantier, a talented but unsuccessful painter who is obsessed with creating a masterpiece that will revolutionize the art world. He is also involved in a turbulent relationship with Christine, a young woman who becomes his model and lover.
The novel is a critique of the artistic movements of the time, such as Impressionism and Naturalism, and reflects Zola’s friendship and rivalry with Paul Cézanne.
7. La Terre (1887)
La Terre, also known as The Earth in English, is the 15th novel in the Les Rougon-Macquart series by Zola. It is a quite intense and thought-provoking piece of literature.
La Terre dives into the lives of the hardworking folks in a rural Beauce village, where owning and working the land is everything – it’s where wealth and influence come from.
The story revolves around the Buteau family, caught up in a heated feud with their neighbors over a piece of land. It portrays the complexities of rural life, highlighting the struggles, greed, and resistance to change among the local folks.
La Terre is an eye-opening epic that lays bare the tough realities of life in the French countryside.
8. Le Rêve (1888)
Le Rêve is the 16th novel in the Les Rougon-Macquart series, and one of Zola’s most romantic and poetic works. The title means “The Dream” in English.
It tells the story of Angélique, an orphan girl who is adopted by a couple of embroiderers in a cathedral town. She falls in love with Félicien, the son of a wealthy nobleman who opposes their marriage.
Angélique lives in a world of fantasy and imagination, inspired by the legends and symbols of the stained glass windows and tapestries in the cathedral. The book beautifully portrays the stark difference between Angélique’s idealism and innocence, and the harsh realism and corruption prevalent in the society she encounters.
9. La Bête Humaine (1890)
This book marks the 17th installment in the fascinating Les Rougon-Macquart series, showcasing Emile Zola at his most thrilling and suspenseful.
La Bête Humaine (English: The Beast Within) introduces its readers to Jacques Lantier, a locomotive engineer dealing with a hereditary madness that occasionally drives him towards violent impulses. His world becomes entangled with Séverine, the wife of his colleague Roubaud, who, with Jacques’s assistance, has committed a heinous crime.
As the story unfolds, Jacques and Séverine find themselves caught in a passionate affair, but their love is constantly threatened by Jacques’ inner turmoil and Roubaud’s simmering jealousy.
In this book, Zola dives deep into the human psyche, creating a compelling exploration of crime and passion, all set against the backdrop of the modern railway industry.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.