The Monomaniac by Émile Zola (1866)

Name: The Monomaniac
Author: Émile Zola

The novel revolves around a wealthy and influential family's downfall due to their obsessive pursuit of wealth and power. The protagonist, a ruthless and cunning businessman, stops at nothing to expand his empire, crushing anyone who stands in his way. His family becomes increasingly entangled in his web of deceit and corruption, leading to their ultimate destruction.

By Émile Zola · First published 1866 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Fiction · 12 chapters · 160,741 words

First lines

Roubaud, on entering the room, placed the loaf, the pâté, and the bottle of white wine on the table. But Mother Victoire, before going down to her post in the morning, had crammed the stove with such a quantity of cinders that the heat was stifling, and the assistant station-master, having opened a window, leant out on the rail in front of it.

What this Textopian page supports

The Monomaniac is listed on Textopian as a novel by Émile Zola, dated 1866 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Émile Zola
Date: 1866 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary
Length: 160,741 words
Structure: 12 chapters, 2,356 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Monomaniac by Émile Zola
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Monomaniac?
How does this novel by Émile Zola fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and themes, focusing on human emotions and relationships.
Realism — Zola's work reflects realistic depictions of life, particularly the struggles and dynamics of the working class.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological states of the characters, particularly Roubaud's jealousy and emotional turmoil.
Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, including conflict and tension between characters, particularly in the marriage of Roubaud and Séverine.