Frank Norris was an outspoken admirer of Emile Zola, the influential father of naturalist fiction in France. Zolas impact on Norriss work has been much discussed. In this book,I focus on the themes of heredity, environment, alcohol, gender norms, and sexuality in Emile Zolas LAssommoir (1877) and Frank Norriss McTeague (1899). I clarify not only the common ground between the two novels but also Norriss significant departure from Zolas themes and artistic goals. I begin by setting out the similarities of plot, scene, structure, and character, highlighting the differences in Zolas and Norriss...