The rise and inevitable decline of a Parisian courtesan serves as a mirror for the moral decay of the Second Empire. Nana, born into poverty, ascends to the heights of Parisian society through her physical allure and manipulative charm, eventually ensnaring powerful figures like Count Muffat. Her objective is the acquisition of wealth and status, yet she remains an unconscious force of destruction, leaving a trail of ruined men and bankrupt estates in her wake. The narrative utilizes a third-person perspective to observe the intersection of personal excess and the broader political instability of France on the brink of war.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel as a definitive example of Zola's naturalistic approach to literature. Discussion often centers on the tension between the protagonist's agency and her role as a mere symbol of societal rot. Many observers note the clinical, almost detached manner in which the author documents the degradation of his characters. The pacing is often described as relentless, reflecting the chaotic energy of the era Zola depicts. Readers frequently emphasize that the book remains a significant study of how individual moral failure and systemic political corruption are inextricably linked.