Emile Zola

Therese Raquin Annotated Emile Zola

Therese Raquin was first published in 1868, not in book form, but in serial form in the French magazine 'L'Artiste'. It was Emile Zola's third novel and it's storylines of murder and adultery were quite scandalous at the time. The novel tells the tale of Therese Raquin, who is pressured by her aunt into marrying her first cousin, Camille. Not entirely happy with this arrangement, Therese starts an affair with Laurent, her husbands friend. They realise that to be together means Camille needs to be disposed of, and they drown him. However, the aftermath is not one of sunshine and roses, but guilt, fights, and eventually suicide.