Joy of Living is a novel by Émile Zola, the French writer, publicist, and politician. The book is part of the series "The Rougon-Macquart".
The main heroine, who in her life encounters only ingratitude, hatred, greed, and deception, responds to those around her with love, self-sacrifice, and mercy. She possesses a unique quality—an ability to be joyful about life as it is.