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Rougon-Macquart Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Rougon-Macquart books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: April 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Rougon-Macquart series? Start with "The Fortune of the Rougons" (1870) and follow publication order through all 20 books.
The complete Rougon-Macquart reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
The Fortune of the Rougons
1870
The Kill / The Rush for the Spoil
0
The Belly of Paris / The Fat and the Thin
0
The Conquest of Plassans
0
The Sin of Father Mouret / The Sinful Priest / Abbe Mouret's Transgression
0
His Excellency Eugene Rougon
0
The Drinking Den / The Dram Shop / L'Assommoir / The Gin Palace
0
A Love Episode / A Page of Love / A Love Story
0
Nana
0
Restless House / Lesson in Love
0
The Ladies' Paradise / Lesson in Love
0
The Bright Side of Life / How Jolly Life Is / Zest for Life
0
Germinal
0
The Masterpiece / His Masterpiece
0
The Soil / Earth
0
The Dream
0
The Beast in Man / The Beast Within
0
Money
0
The Downfall / The Debacle
0
Doctor Pascal
0
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