I am always drawn in by the plight of the poor and Germinal took me into the world of the miners in France. It was one of the more intense descriptions of the downtrodden that I have read. It surprises me that this is my first Zola, but also makes me happy to have discovered a new classic author that I really enjoy. The writing style is straightforward and the characters are interesting plus the plot carries the reader along into this desperate world of the families striking and starving in order to improve their living conditions. I am disappointed that my library system doesn't have a better Zola collection, because I want to read more! The next ones on my list are Therese Raquin and/or Pot Luck which is the prequel to The Ladies Paradise which I am watching on Masterpiece Theater right now (titled just Paradise). I was almost late to work this morning finishing up the gripping ending to Germinal!