#RivetingReads: Rosie Goldsmith recommends THÉRÈSE RAQUIN by Émile Zola

Thérèse Raquin was first published in magazine form in 1867, then as a full novel and has been adapted many times for film, TV, theatre and opera. When I studied French at university this novel became lodged firmly in my student mind – and is still there: turbulent love and marriage, murder and revenge and a very troubled young woman. It is a thrilling read: I love the cool and clever dissection of character and motivation of such a torrid, events and flawed, emotional protagonists. The most recent translation is by Adam Thorpe for Vintage Classics.

Recommended by Rosie Goldsmith

THÉRÈSE RAQUIN

Written by Émile Zola

Translated by Adam Thorpe

Published by Vintage (2004)

Rosie Goldsmith is Director of the European Literature Network. She was a BBC senior broadcaster for 20 years and is today an arts journalist, presenter, linguist, and with Max Easterman a media trainer for ‘Sounds Right’.