The novel revolves around the lives of the Rougon-Macquart family during the Second Empire period in France. The story takes place in a small town and focuses on the struggles of the working class, particularly the coal miners who are exploited by the wealthy owners. The protagonist, a miner, becomes involved in a labor dispute that eventually leads to a devastating flood that destroys the town.
By Émile Zola · First published 1880 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Naturalism, Drama · 6 chapters