Theresa Raquin

by Émile Zola

"Theresa Raquin" by Émile Zola is a novel published in 1867. It tells the story of a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin Camille. When she begins a passionate affair with her husband's friend Laurent, the lovers become convinced that only murder can free them to be together. Their crime succeeds, but guilt transforms their passion into mutual hatred and psychological torment, making their lives together unbearable.