The novel explores the rise and fall of a wealthy family in provincial France during the Second Empire. The story revolves around the Rougon family's struggle for power and wealth, marked by deceit, adultery, and murder. The narrative spans several generations, exposing the dark secrets and scandals that haunt the family's history.
By Émile Zola · First published 1871 · Genre: Naturalism, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary · 7 chapters