Therese Raquin

The first major work of the father of French Naturalism Thérèse Raquin is the shocking and scandalous initial big success in Emile Zolas impressive writing career. Zolas third novel was published serially in 1867 and then as a book in 1868. The story revolves around a young woman Thérèse who is unhappily married to her first cousin Camille largely due to her domineering if well-intentioned aunt and Camilles mother Madame Raquin. Camille selfish and spoiled by his mother decides to move the little family to Paris to pursue a career. While there Camille meets up with an old friend Laurent who quickly becomes Thérèses lover. Thérèse and Laurent go to terrible and horrific lengths to be together but the happy ending they think they will find eludes them and they cannot escape their guilt. It eventually become their undoing proving them to be the human beasts that Zola attempted to portray in a scientifically detached manner in this grisly and intense experimental novel. A sinister story of adultery and murder in lower class Parisian society Thérèse Raquin is a dreadfully realistic novel that remains one of Zolas most masterful works. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.