The book "Emile Zola, writer and reformer: a sketch of his life and work" by Ernest Alfred Vizetelli is a detailed review of the life and work of the outstanding French writer Emile Zola. The author reveals to the reader not only the unique talent of Zola as a writer, but also his active public activity as a reformer of society. Tracking the development of his ideas and views, Vizetelli successfully combined a biographical narrative with a literary and critical analysis of the writer's works. The book reveals to the reader the multifaceted personality of Zola and helps to better understand the legacy he left in world literature and society.