Nana

About “Nana”

Nana is a novel by Émile Zola that explores the life of its eponymous character, a woman who rises from the underworld to exploit society. Zola uses Nana to reflect the disintegration of the Second French Empire, showing how her fate mirrors that of the society she manipulates. The novel is part of Zola's Rougon-Macquart series and portrays Nana as a tragic heroine who uses her sexuality to gain wealth, ultimately leading to the downfall of those around her. Published in 1880, the story offers a critical look at Parisian society and the destructive power of desire.