Money is a novel by Émile Zola, a French writer, publicist, and political figure. The book is part of the “Rougon-Macquart” series.
Saccar, the financier, is the main character; he goes bankrupt and his relatives turn their backs on him. Trying to get out of a difficult situation, the hero supports the ideas that inspire his neighbor, the engineer Georges Gamelin. Gamelin has a plan to restore Christianity in the Middle East and build railroad lines there, improve roads, and repair ports of the eastern Mediterranean for cargo transportation. Saccar decides to create a bank to finance these projects. His primary motivation is the opportunity to earn incredible sums and restore his position on the stock exchange.