The Therese Raquin

*Thérèse Raquin* by Émile Zola is a novel about a woman trapped in a dull, unhappy marriage with her sickly cousin Camille. She begins an affair with Laurent, a friend of Camille, which leads to a passionate but destructive relationship. Their secret liaison results in murder to escape their guilt and constraints. However, guilt and psychological torment haunt them, causing their relationship to unravel. The novel explores themes of repression, guilt, and the darker aspects of human nature, illustrating how hidden desires and moral consequences can lead to tragedy.