Thérèse Raquin is a gripping tale of passion, guilt, and psychological torment set in 19th-century Paris. The story follows Thérèse, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin Camille. When Camille moves the family to Paris to pursue a career, Thérèse embarks on a torrid love affair with his friend Laurent. Consumed by their illicit desire, the lovers plot to murder Camille to be together, but the crime plunges them into a spiraling nightmare of paranoia, guilt, and hallucinations.
Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola is historically significant for its scandalous portrayal of adultery and murder, which shocked contemporary audiences and critics. Zola’s focus on exploring human behavior and the darker aspects of human nature made the novel a key example of naturalism, a literary movement that sought to depict life with unflinching realism. Zola’s work paved the way for future explorations of psychological and social influences on individuals, influencing literature’s move toward more realistic and often controversial subjects.
This case laminate collector’s edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.