The young Gervaise's courtship with her teenage lover Lantier is recounted in the first novel of the series, The Fortunes of the Rougons (1871) and L'assommoir takes up the story from their arrival in Paris. The novel is set in Paris, in a working-class enclave in the south-eastern quarter of the 18th arrondisement.
Emile Zola, one of the most famous French writers of all time, was a very important contributor to the Naturalist movement. He also led an active political life, which is reflected in some of his works. His novels are infused with realism, as he wanted to create accurate portrayals of what life was like at the time.
What did Zola write about?
He wrote about menstruation, orgasms and other taboo bodily functions. He scandalized many readers, but his novels were so popular he became wealthy man. Near the end of his life, Zola intended to write four 'gospels' to explain his own philosophical principles.
Did Zola win Nobel Prize?
Apr 2, 1840 - Zola was nominated for the first and second Nobel Prize in Literature in 1901 and 1902.