The novel revolves around the life of Thérèse Raquin, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage with her sickly cousin Camille. She embarks on an affair with Laurent, a friend of Camille's, and together they conspire to murder Camille. After the crime, Thérèse and Laurent are haunted by guilt and paranoia, leading to a downward spiral of madness and despair.
By Émile Zola · First published 1867 · Genre: Naturalism, Realism, Psychological Fiction · 32 chapters