Emile Zola (1840-1902) was the leading figure in the French school of naturalistic fiction. His principal work, Les Rougon-Macquart, is a panorama of mid-19th century French life, in a cycle of 20 novels which Zola wrote over a period of 22 years. Robin Buss is a translator and journalist. He has translated a number of works for Penguin Classics, including works by Dumas and Sartre, and most recently, Zola's L'Assommoir (The Dram-Shop). Robin Buss is a translator and journalist. He has translated a number of works for Penguin Classics, including works by Dumas and Sartre, and most recently, Zola's L'Assommoir (The Dram-Shop).