Movie · 1954
Is Human Desire based on a book?
Quick answer
Yes. Human Desire is based on the book La Bête humaine by Émile Zola (1890).
La Bête humaine is book 17 of the Les Rougon-Macquart series.
The movie was released in 1954.
The book behind Human Desire
Les Rougon-Macquart: books in order
- The Fortune of the Rougons (1871)
- La Curée (1871)
- Le Ventre de Paris (1873)
- La Conquête de Plassans (1874)
- La Faute de l'Abbé Mouret (1875)
- Son Excellence Eugène Rougon (1876)
- L'Assommoir (1876)
- Une Page d'amour (1879)
- Nana (1880)
- Pot-Bouille (1882)
- The Ladies' Paradise (1883)
- La Joie de vivre (1884)
- Germinal (1885)
- L'Œuvre (1886)
- La Terre (1887)
- Le Rêve (1888)
- La Bête humaine (1890)
- L'Argent (1891)
- La Débâcle (1892)
- Doctor Pascal (1893)
Other adaptations of La Bête humaine
- La Bête Humaine (film, 1938)
Common questions
Is Human Desire based on a book?
Yes. Human Desire is based on the book La Bête humaine by Émile Zola (1890).
Who wrote the book Human Desire is based on?
La Bête humaine was written by Émile Zola and first published in 1890.
Is La Bête humaine part of a series?
Yes, it is book 17 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 La Bête humaine. 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.