Cover of Theresa Raquin

Theresa Raquin

by Émile Zola

Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"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.

  • Adultery
  • Guilt
  • Murder
  • Paris (France)

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #6626. Theresa Raquin on Wikipedia.

More free books by Émile Zola

About Émile Zola