Thérèse Raquin

Thérèse Raquin was first published in 1867, originally in serial format in L'Artiste and then in novel format later the same year. Zola also adapted the novel as a play, which was first performed in 1873. Thérèse Raquin tells the story of a young woman, unhappily married to her first cousin by an overbearing aunt who may seem to be well-intentioned but in many ways is deeply selfish. Therese's husband, Camille, is sickly and egocentric, and when the opportunity arises, Thérèse enters into a turbulent and sordidly passionate affair with one of Camille's friends, Laurent.