Publisher's Synopsis
The Assommoir, The Prelude to Nana: A Realistic Novel (1884) is a literary work by the renowned French author, Emile Zola. The novel is set in Paris during the mid-19th century and explores the harsh realities of poverty, alcoholism, and the struggles faced by the working-class people of the city. The story follows the life of Gervaise Macquart, a young laundress who moves to Paris with her lover, Lantier, in search of a better life. However, their dreams are shattered as they struggle to make ends meet in the tough economic conditions of the city. Gervaise eventually marries Coupeau, a roofer, and they have two children together. Despite their efforts to build a stable life, Gervaise and Coupeau fall into the trap of alcoholism, which leads to their downfall. The novel portrays the devastating effects of alcoholism on the lives of the characters, as well as the harsh realities of poverty and the struggles faced by women in a male-dominated society. The Assommoir is considered a prelude to Zola's later novel, Nana, which follows the life of a young actress and prostitute in Paris. The novel is written in a realistic style, which was a hallmark of Zola's literary works. It is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by the working-class people of Paris during the 19th century.With Notes Upon The Assommoir.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
