Context:

Described as 'one of my favourite books' published in 1890, about a Parisian train driver who is a homicidal maniac, referenced to illustrate the theme of evil lurking within in late Victorian culture

Context:

Dominic mentions having 'this mad idea of reading all Zola's Rougon-Macquart sequence' when discussing the Paris of classic 19th century French novels

Context:

Dominic references this novel when expressing his preference for late 19th century Paris over the Paris of Proust and Picasso

Context:

Mentioned as Zola writing about Franco-Prussian War, events 20-30 years before