The Rougon-Macquart Series: Natural and social history of a family under the Second Empire

'The Fortune of the Rougons' is the first novel in Zola's monumental 'Les Rougon-Macquart' series. The novel is partly an origin story with an enormous cast of characters, many of whom go on to become the main characters of later novels in the series. It is also a testament to the December 1851 coup d'état that gave rise to the Second French Empire, from the perspective of a large provincial town in southern France.As the title suggests. the protagonists Pierre and Felicité Rougon chase fortune in all its symbolic and tangible meanings in one grand, captivating and hilarious adventure. The title also pays homage to the fortunes of many different family members introduced in the novel, whose lives take on an integral importance throughout later books. An unquestionably successful foundation for the ensuing masterpieces of the series - 'The Fortune of the Rougons' is sure to be savoured by fans of 'Germinal' as an exciting and engrossing read.Nominated twice in the first two instances of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Zola is cited as a major literary influence on authors of the new journalism style of writing, namely Tom Wolfe, Truman Capote, and Gay Talese.-

'The Rush for the Spoil' is the second novel in Zola's 'Les Rougon-Macquart' series. It is set in Paris during the reign of Napoleon III and focuses on the modernization and evisceration of the ancient city.Aristide Rougon leaves the countryside for the city in order to climb the social hierarchy and improve his financial conditions - but what lengths is he wiiling to go? It is in this artificial world at the turn of the 20th century where Aristide's wife Renne steps in, a diametric opposite personality to her husband. Depicting the greed of its main characters combined with their cynical attitudes, this is a dark, disturbing yet highly engaging read with an ironic and chilling finale. It's an example of Zola at his best: prose that is strong and compelling yet poetic and atmospheric, as well as psychologically complex characters - Zola's hallmark social critique and a heavy dose of sensationalism. Acclaimed writers that cite Zola among their main influences include Tom Wolfe, Truman Capote, and Gay Talese. -

"Respectable people...What bastards!"Rake-thin and exhausted prisoner Florent, wrongly convicted during the 1848 Revolution, escapes and seeks refuge with his half-brother in Paris. Florent finds a job at the local central market Les Halles. Initially he is met with a baffled but friendly warmth. But this warmth soon erodes into a poisonous animosity in an atmosphere shot with insidious political intrigue, petty rivalries and perfidious gossip from the "respectable people", that impinge upon the Florent's safety and wellbeing. 'The Fat and the Thin' is the third installment of the 'Les Rougon-Macquart' series packed with powerful social commentary comparing those in power (the fat) to those in the lower classes (the thin). The allegories of the burgeoning Parisian market stalls are so poignant that the reader would be forgiven for thinking this is a story of anthropomorphism, where the characters have turned into the food they buy and sell. Yet, simultaneously rebuffed with depictions of abject poverty, this is an unforgettable novel reminiscent of 'The Ladies' Paradise' and 'Nana'. It comes as little surprise that literary icons Charles Dickens and Anthony Bourdain cited Zola among their favourite authors. -

'Abbe Mouret's Transgression' is the fifth novel in the 'Les Rougon-Marquart' cycle, following the overly zealous priest Serge Mouret in his search for spiritual purity. He lives in a near constant state of prayer, neglecting his worldly needs until he becomes gravely ill and begins to suffer from Amnesia. In this state of amnesia he forgets his priestly vows, becoming a whole other person and experiencing the world in a completely new and profound way. This novel draws numerous biblical parallels, exploring the meaning of innocence and sin as well as the relationship between the Church and Nature. It is an incredibly compelling and thoughtful read with truly beautiful moments thanks to the strength of it's cast of characters. -

'The Conquest of Plassans' is the fourth novel in the 'Les Rougon-Macquart' cycle, returning the reader to the fictional Provencal town of Plassans. It follows the Mouret family as their lives are forever upended by the arrival of an unscrupulous and sinister cleric. The devious cleric manipulates the townsfolk and the Mouret family in particular, for his own political intrigue and to build clerical power in the provinces. The struggle for power between the clergy and government becomes secondary to the human drama unfolding before us as the unassuming town of Plassans is torn apart in a complex web of greed, evil and faith. It is an astonishing drama built on the strength of it's characters and the pace of it's plot, perfect for anyone who loved 'Les Miserables'.-

Gervaise and Coupeau are happily married and through hard work they manage to advance in society. Until Coupeau is injured and takes to idleness, gluttony and eventually to drink. The novel shows the affect of alcoholism and poverty on the lives of people in the working-class districts of Paris.Seventh in Émile Zola's twenty-volume series "Les Rougon-Macquart", "L'Assommoir" is one of Zola's masterpieces and his most realistic work. -

'His Excellency' is the sixth entry in the 'Les Rougon-Marquart', set in the Imperial court it chronicles the absolute power and corruption of the upper echelons of French society. Our protagonist, Eugene Rougon is the vice-emperor, one of the most powerful men in the empire but his position is never an assurance of safety. We are thrown in to a world of political intrigue, of rivalries and schemes, blackmail, bribery and manipulation in this political thriller. It is a thriller that rises above pure political drama to become an important discourse on the manipulation of legislation for personal power. It is a brilliant read exposing the fragility of the powerful and is perfect for anyone who loved 'House of Cards'.-

Silk dresses, sparkling jewellery and finest textiles: the glamour of the 19th century French department store can make anyone's head spin. When the 20-year-old Denise Baudu comes to Paris to work at "The Ladies' Paradise", little does she know of the corrupted values that lie beneath the layer of shining showcases. The eleventh novel in Émile Zola's "Rougon-Macquart" cycle captures the spirit of the budding capitalism in Europe. Discover the changes in consumer culture, the bourgeois family and the construction of the modern city through the eyes of the main characters in this capturing narration.-

She is beautiful, charismatic and destroys every man who dares to pursue her. Before the character of femme fatale was coined in American cinema, Émile Zola captured the seductive female power in "Nana": the ninth installment in the Les Rougon-Macquart series. A daughter of an abusive drunk, forced to live on the streest, Nana manages to rise to high-class prostitute. The novel begins with her debute in Théâtre des Variétés causing all Paris to talk about her. Follow the corrupted and tragic life of a Parisian courtesan in this Zola's masterpiece. -

'Germinal', often considered Zola's masterpiece, tells the story of Etienne Lantier, a bright however uneducated young man with a volatile temperament who has just lost his job as a railway worker. He sets out for a small mining town where he finds a new job as a cart pusher. But the incessant clashes between the capitalists and the working class, alongside the appalling working conditions and dire poverty the workers are forced to endure, slowly but surely bring the narrative to its only possible denouement: revolution. Abounding with vivid descriptions of the miner's inner and outer worlds, as well as the violent and often unjustified impulses of man, 'Germinal' is a superbly written, unforgettable novel. 'Germinal' voices outrage at the downtrodding of the many by the few, but also displays humanity's limitless capacity for compassion and hope.Widely regarded as the founding father of scientific naturalism in literature, which aimed to describe the human condition as it really is, Zola was considered an influence by many prominent artists and writers of his time and the coming era, such as Vincent van Gogh, Tom Wolfe and John Steinbeck.-

'The Monomaniac' narrates Jacques Lantiere's perpetual yet ultimately catastrophic descent into a maelstrom of madness unfolding upon the railroads between Paris and Le Havre during the late 19th Century. The protagonist Lantiere, a deputy station master by day, suspects his wife of infidelity by night. Tormented by memories of events that occurred many years ago, Lantiere resolves to excavate the past piece by piece, but little does he know what sort of skeletons he is going to unleash from the proverbial closet. Nor does he bear an inkling of the unfathomable repercussions of his actions. 'The Monomaniac' is a fast-paced and suspenseful psychological thriller casting light on the dark passions simmering underneath the surface of every human being and exploring how, accompanied by even darker emotions, these passions may lead to a man's untimely demise if not held in restraint before it is too late. Beloved by fans of 19th Century French literature and true crime alike, this gripping tale based on a real-life account is bound to haunt you long after you have turned the final page. Widely regarded as the founding father of scientific naturalism in literature, which aimed to describe things as they really were at the time, Zola was considered an influence by many prominent artists and writers of his time and the coming era, such as Vincent van Gogh, Tom Wolfe and John Steinbeck. -