Émile Zola (1840–1902) was a French novelist, journalist, and a principal progenitor of the literary school of naturalism. Known for his critical scrutiny of society and keen observation of minutiae, Zola's work transcended mere storytelling to dissect the underbelly of the human condition and the complexities of reality. His legacy includes the monumental 20-volume series Les Rougon-Macquart whic...