La Bête humaine by Émile Zola
"La Bête humaine" is a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of the French railway system during the 19th century. The plot revolves around a railway worker who, despite being a seemingly ordinary man, harbors a dark, uncontrollable urge to kill. The narrative is a grim exploration of human nature, delving into themes of inherited violence, animalistic instincts, and the impact of industrialization on society. The novel is also filled with a variety of subplots involving jealousy, betrayal, and murder, all intricately tied to the characters' lives.
The 1019th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1890
- Nationality
- French
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- Unknown
- Words
- 150,000
- Original Language
- French
- Alternate Titles
- None
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 3 lists:
- 79th on The 100 Favorite Books of the French (Lire Magazine)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)