Discover books similar to "L'Assommoir"

Émile Zola

Nana

If you enjoyed L'Assommoir, you might like to continue exploring Zola's 'Rougon-Macquart' series with 'Nana'. This novel follows the life of a young woman who rises to become one of the most successful actresses in Paris, while also leading a scandalous private life. As with L'Assommoir, Nana provides a detailed and uncompromising look at French society in the late 19th century, and the ways in which individuals are shaped by their environment.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov

Fans of L'Assommoir may appreciate the complex character studies and exploration of moral issues in Dostoevsky's final novel, The Brothers Karamazov. The novel follows the story of three brothers and their father, and explores themes of morality, free will, and religion. While the setting and style are quite different from Zola's naturalistic approach, the psychological depth of the characters and the exploration of social issues make this a compelling read.

George Eliot

Middlemarch

If you enjoyed the social commentary and character studies in L'Assommoir, you may enjoy George Eliot's Middlemarch. Set in a small English town in the 1830s, the novel follows the interconnected lives of several characters as they navigate issues of love, ambition, and social class. Eliot's nuanced portrayal of her characters and her keen eye for social detail make this a rewarding read.

John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath

Readers who appreciated the gritty realism and social critique of L'Assommoir may find a kindred spirit in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. The novel follows the story of the Joad family, who are forced to leave their farm in Oklahoma during the Great Depression and travel to California in search of work. Steinbeck's vivid portrayal of the struggles of working-class Americans and his powerful critique of economic inequality make this a powerful and thought-provoking read.

Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary

Fans of L'Assommoir's exploration of the lives of working-class French people may find Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary to be a fascinating contrast. The novel follows the story of Emma Bovary, a middle-class woman who is dissatisfied with her provincial life and seeks excitement and passion through extramarital affairs. Flaubert's precise and evocative prose, as well as his nuanced portrayal of Emma's inner life, make this a rich and rewarding read.

Leo Tolstoy

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

Readers who appreciated the moral and philosophical dimensions of L'Assommoir may find a kindred spirit in Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich. The novella follows the story of a high court judge who, after being diagnosed with a fatal illness, begins to question the meaning and purpose of his life. Tolstoy's powerful exploration of mortality, morality, and the human condition make this a thought-provoking and moving read.

William Faulkner

The Sound and the Fury

Readers who enjoyed the psychological complexity and narrative experimentation of L'Assommoir may find a kindred spirit in William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. The novel follows the story of the Compson family, a once-prominent Southern family in decline, and is told from the perspectives of four different characters. Faulkner's innovative narrative style and his powerful exploration of memory, time, and identity make this a challenging but rewarding read.

Raymond Chandler

The Big Sleep

Readers who appreciated the gritty realism and moral ambiguity of L'Assommoir may find a modern-day equivalent in Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. The novel follows the story of private detective Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a wealthy general to investigate a blackmail case, and soon finds himself embroiled in a complex web of crime and corruption. Chandler's vivid portrayal of urban life and his complex character studies make this a compelling and entertaining read.

Upton Sinclair

The Jungle

Readers who appreciated the social critique and exploration of working-class life in L'Assommoir may find a kindred spirit in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. The novel follows the story of Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant who comes to Chicago to work in the meatpacking industry, and soon finds himself and his family trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation. Sinclair's powerful critique of capitalism and his vivid portrayal of working-class life make this a thought-provoking and moving read.

Edith Wharton

House of Mirth

Readers who appreciated the social commentary and character studies in L'Assommoir may find a kindred spirit in Edith Wharton's House of Mirth. The novel follows the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who is trapped in the social and economic constraints of New York high society in the late 19th century. Wharton's nuanced portrayal of Lily's inner life and her keen eye for social detail make this a rewarding and thought-provoking read.