The Kill by Émile Zola

Unlock the more straightforward side of The Kill with this concise and insightful summary and analysis! This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Kill by Émile Zola, a daring novel about the excesses and follies of the upper classes of Parisian society during the mid-19th century. It follows the lives of Aristide Saccard, a property speculator who takes great delight in swindling everyone he meets, and his wife Renée, whose loneliness and boredom lead her to embark on an affair with her own stepson, setting in motion a series of events that eventually lead to disaster. The Kill is the fourteenth instalment of Les Rougon-Macquart, an ambitious cycle of 20 novels which tells the story of one extended family under the Second French Empire. Émile Zola was the leading figure of the literary school of naturalism, as well as an influential social thinker, and is now regarded as one of France’s greatest novelists. Find out everything you need to know about The Kill in a fraction of the time! This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you: • A complete plot summary • Character studies • Key themes and symbols • Questions for further reflection Why choose BrightSummaries.com? Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time. See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!