Is It Based on a Book?
L'Assommoir book cover

Cover via Open Library

Movie · 1956

Is Gervaise based on a book?

Quick answer

Yes. Gervaise is based on the book L'Assommoir by Émile Zola (1876).

L'Assommoir is book 7 of the Les Rougon-Macquart series.

The movie was released in 1956.

The book behind Gervaise

L'Assommoir cover

L'Assommoir

by Émile Zola · first published 1876

Novel by Émile Zola.

Les Rougon-Macquart: books in order

  1. The Fortune of the Rougons (1871)
  2. La Curée (1871)
  3. Le Ventre de Paris (1873)
  4. La Conquête de Plassans (1874)
  5. La Faute de l'Abbé Mouret (1875)
  6. Son Excellence Eugène Rougon (1876)
  7. L'Assommoir (1876)
  8. Une Page d'amour (1879)
  9. Nana (1880)
  10. Pot-Bouille (1882)
  11. The Ladies' Paradise (1883)
  12. La Joie de vivre (1884)
  13. Germinal (1885)
  14. L'Œuvre (1886)
  15. La Terre (1887)
  16. Le Rêve (1888)
  17. La Bête humaine (1890)
  18. L'Argent (1891)
  19. La Débâcle (1892)
  20. Doctor Pascal (1893)

Common questions

Is Gervaise based on a book?

Yes. Gervaise is based on the book L'Assommoir by Émile Zola (1876).

Who wrote the book Gervaise is based on?

L'Assommoir was written by Émile Zola and first published in 1876.

Is L'Assommoir part of a series?

Yes, it is book 7 in the Les Rougon-Macquart series (4 books listed below in reading order).

Should I read the book before watching?

Start with The Fortune of the Rougons, book 1 of L'Assommoir. If you like knowing the full story and characters first, read it before you watch. Adaptations often change or cut plotlines, so the book is a different experience even if you've seen the movie.

More screen adaptations of Émile Zola's books

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). See also Wikipedia.