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2.5 stars actually. This is not one of Zola's better novels; in fact, this one will make you understand Victor Hugo's criticisms of the Naturalist school. It's full of late 19th century theories of criminality, some of the political machinations of the 2nd Empire, lots of railroad details (actually the most interesting of the tsunami of detail to make things realistic), and a completely chilling way in which a prosecutor under the Code Napoleon can throw a case. Yes, a DA can indict and convict
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Apr 18, 2012
Tora
marked it as to-read


Jun 30, 2015
Kathy
marked it as to-read

Dec 20, 2020
Kat
marked it as to-read