La Débâcle

*La Débâcle* is a novel by Émile Zola that depicts the collapse of France during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. It follows two brothers—Jean, a soldier, and Léon, a lawyer—showing how war and political upheaval devastate civilians and soldiers alike. The story highlights the human suffering, political miscalculations, and the chaos of battle, illustrating how national conflict impacts individual lives. Zola’s detailed realism offers a powerful, unvarnished look at war’s destructive effects on society and the human spirit, emphasizing themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the tragic consequences of militarism.