"Monsieur Rougon, would you like me to do you, when you're addressing the chamber?"

Ah, French classics. Rarely do they disappoint. I've been putting off reading this next installment, because my knowledge and interest in 19th century politics is minimal. Well, my fears turned out to be warranted. However, it's my personal problem, not Zola's fault, that I dozed off in the deeply political parts and only stirred when there was plotting, beautiful writing, or when somebody was naked or chased in a stable by bull-like Eugène. Instead of the specific complicated machinery of the Second Empire, the themes that are still relevant in today's world (freedom of press etc.) are more interesting.

As a continuation of the first novel, it's interesting to see Eugène (who was involved in the 1851 coup d'état and helped his parents to gain power and fortune in Plassans) maneuver in Paris's corrupt political climate. It's all about leeching on to somebody as long as there's profit to be had, and even Eugène's most passionate dream of keeping "the mob under his heel", whip in hand, can be in danger of coming to an end. But just like the spirit of the power hungry and intelligent Clorinde (both Eugène's adversary and kindred spirit), a symbol of authority can never truly be extinguished.

"The dogs leapt forward and fell upon the offal, their savage barking subsiding into low growls as they shuddered in delight. The bones cracked. There was great satisfaction on the balcony and at the windows. The ladies smiled viciously, clenching their white teeth. The men breathed heavily, bright-eyed, some of them twirling toothpicks brought from the dining room."