"L'Assommoir" is a novel by French author Émile Zola, published in 1877. It is part of his Les Rougon-Macquart series, which explores the lives of a working-class family in 19th-century France. The story follows Gervaise Macquart, a laundress, as she struggles against poverty, addiction, and the harsh realities of life in the Paris slums. The novel highlights the impact of alcoholism on individuals and families, particularly through Gervaise's relationships and her descent into despair. Zola's naturalistic style vividly depicts the social conditions of the time, making "L'Assommoir" a significant work in the literary movement that sought to portray real-life struggles.