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All 20 novels of Zola's Rougon-Macquart cycle, written between 1871 and 1893. The novels can be read in the order they were written, which preserves the original variety and flow of the narrative, or in a more chronological order which Zola lists in the final volume, "Doctor Pascal".
As of 2020, all of the volumes are available in contemporary translations, including a complete series from Oxford's World's Classics.

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20 books · 40 voters · list created March 8th, 2012 by Ian (votes) .
56 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Ian 235 books
49 friends
Grizel 342 books
15 friends
Constance 45 books
0 friends
Angela 44 books
4 friends
Audrey 276 books
5 friends
Saranda 26 books
31 friends
Mariana 171 books
18 friends
Joseph 1022 books
3 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-5 of 5 (5 new)

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message 1: by Faouzia (new)

Faouzia emile zola is simply the best!!!!


message 2: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Hmmmmmmmmmm! Having just read Edward Rutherfurd's book, "Paris" I can't help feeling that there might be some similarities between his work and Zola's. Any ideas, anyone?


message 3: by Ian (new)

Ian B I set out to read all 20 novels and did so over a six year period. I read up first on Zola, and then read them in the order they were written, except for Nana, which I read immediately following L'Assommoir, as it was a natural follow on. They were (mostly) marvellous stories, and the series a great achievement. This list is interesting as, looking down it, It would not be the order I'd have chosen, but then I don't know the reasons Zola has given. Maybe I shall have to consult Dr. Pascal, and then re-read them!!


message 4: by Jamie (new)

Jamie Are these available in English? I am having a hard time locating them. If they are available, does anyone have any tips on finding them?


message 5: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 17, 2016 09:27AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Jamie wrote: "Are these available in English? I am having a hard time locating them. If they are available, does anyone have any tips on finding them?"

Can't believe you had trouble locating them.... Most of the Rougon-Macquart series are available in English on www.bookdepository.com and there are some on Amazon as well. Or try Abebooks, Ebay, Antiqbook, and so on if you are looking for second-hand copies. Some are also available for free as Kindle editions on Amazon. So take your pick....


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