Thérèse Raquin

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Thérèse Raquin (French pronunciation: [teʁɛz ʁakɛ̃]) is an early novel by French writer Émile Zola. The germ of the novel was present in his short story "Un Mariage d'Amour", published in December 1866. He then expanded the story into a novel, which appeared in serial form from August–October 1867 in the magazine L'Artiste. Later that year it was published in book form. Although it was Zola's third novel, Thérèse Raquin was the one that earned him fame and notoriety. The plot, with its focus on adultery and murder, was considered scandalous and described as "putrid literature" in a review in Le Figaro. The novel tells the tale of a young woman, Thérèse Raquin, who is coerced by an overbearing aunt into a loveless marriage with her first cousin Camille. He is sickly and egocentric and when the opportunity arises, Thérèse enters into a turbulent, sordid affair with Camille's friend, Laurent. Despite their numerous trysts, Thérèse and Laurent are convinced they can only be truly happy if they...

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