Émile Zola, a towering figure in French literature, was born on April 2, 1840, and left an indelible mark on the world of naturalism before his passing on September 29, 1902. Among his prolific works, L’Assommoir, published in 1877, stands out as the seventh installment in the renowned Les Rougon-Macquart series. This gripping novel offers a stark and unflinching exploration of the grim realities of alcoholism and poverty in the working-class neighborhoods of Paris. Its powerful themes struck a chord with readers, propelling Zola to fame and solidifying his legacy as one of France’s literary giants. (Summary edited from Wikipedia)