The novel revolves around the life of a doctor who becomes disillusioned with the medical profession and begins to question the morality of his work. He starts to focus on the social and economic conditions that affect people's health, rather than just treating their symptoms. This leads him to become involved in a romantic affair with a woman from a lower social class, which further complicates his life.
By Émile Zola · First published 1893 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Fiction · 14 chapters