Thérèse Raquin

By: Emile Zola

Narrated by: Kate Winslet

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Once upon a time, a teenaged Kate Winslet (The Reader, Titanic, Revolutionary Road) received a gift that would leave a lasting impression: a copy of Emile Zola’s classic Thérèse Raquin. Six Academy Award nominations and one Best Actress award later, she steps behind the microphone to perform this haunting classic of passion and disaster.

Thérèse Raquin is the story of a young woman forced into an unhappy marriage to her dull, sickly cousin and smothered by her overbearing aunt. When her husband’s childhood friend enters her life, it leads to a torrid affair that sets her spirit free for the first time, but with shattering consequences. Steeped in the atmosphere of 19th-century France and with a darkly rich foreboding, it is a story that brings out the best of its narrator’s incomparable talents.

“It is challenging, and it’s a heck of a lot of fun as well”, said Ms. Winslet of the recording experience. "As a listener, being able to tune out and be taken into another world, an atmosphere, an environment that is being created entirely for you by somebody else’s voice is really a wonderful, magical thing.”

Explore more titles performed by some of the most celebrated actors in the business in Audible’s Star-Powered Listens collection.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Kate Winslet reads as though she is relishing every morsel of the drama…She clearly loves the book, and her pleasure in the text is infectious…she grabs listeners and doesn’t let go.” (AudioFile)

Worth it just for the narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of Thérèse Raquin to be better than the print version?

I was very intrigued by this first of Zola's novels, having read Nana in a college class on belle epoque European cities (including Paris). This one was much more narrow in scope, with the focus on the murderous/traitorous couple that bring about the death of Therese's husband. I thought the first half was much more interesting and better paced than the last half, which seemed to just drag on too long (though I understand the beauty of Zola's dissection of the couple's lives post-murder). Definitely worth listening with Kate Winslet narrating (5 stars for that part :)).

What about Kate Winslet’s performance did you like?

Her voice is so wonderful, and I thought she did pretty well with the different male and female characters. I would listen again just to hear her speak for 8 hours :).

Not a Fan of Naturalism School of Lit

I Love Nature & Natural, but No More Novels of Naturalism

In my voracity for reading most of the so-called classic novels, I read this short one without knowing much about it, nor did I read (until later) the preface in which Zola says this is a study of temperaments and not characters, the basis of which is the now-discounted Galen's Four Temperaments. Apparently, this is a novel characterized as "naturalism," due to its scientific or detached narrative.

The four temperaments are represented by Therese Raquin, an unhappily married young woman (melancholic), Madame Raquin, her overbearing and selfish aunt (choleric), Camille Raquin, her sickly, self-centered husband, who is also her 1st cousin (phlegmatic) all of whom all live together, and Laurent, interloping friend of the husband (sanguine). You might guess what happens. If so, great. If not, I don't wanna spoil all your insidious fun.

Love Nature, All for the Naturals; No, Please, No More Naturalism.

The actress Kate Winslet did a fantastic job with the narration though.

The classic novel you didn't know you missing!

One: Kate Winslet brings this story to life with such passion. It is such a pleasure to listen to her read.
Two: This story is dark and bonkers! It is a dark psychologically creepy novel that will have you completely engaged.

Disappointing end

I won’t spoil it but was hoping for a different end. These truly vile and horrible people, every character in the book save one (and even her blind adoration to and admiration of truly vile people makes her little better than the others) deserved something different. Maybe that was the author’s point though. We don’t always get what we deserve??

get on with it already

Would you consider the audio edition of Thérèse Raquin to be better than the print version?

absolutely

Would you recommend Thérèse Raquin to your friends? Why or why not?

with caution......
although there were plot twists, the writer (sorry Emile) took too long to get to the inevitable conclusion

What about Kate Winslet’s performance did you like?

A-mazing

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the last page

Wonderful performance

I can see why this book was considered scandalous in 1867. It contains violence, adultery, domestic abuse, and many other disturbing facets in a relationship that was supposed to be loving. The main characters' descent into their own level of madness was masterfully portrayed by the author by switching viewpoints between all the main characters. This allowed you to see through each character's eyes as well as see how others view them.

I cannot say this is a book that I wanted to listen to all in one sitting. It was necessary for me to take breaks due to the intensity of the story. Kate Winslet's performance made the experience even more spectacular. Her inflections and characterizations brought the tale to life. I will be looking for more of her narrations.

Dark and depressing

Interesting book, though not uplifting. Definitely written with a message in mind. Kate Winslet does a good job as reader!

Engaging,once I started I had to finish.

What did you like about this audiobook?

Reap then sow.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I want to read more books by this auteur

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes, each character was developed well. The story was a moral tale.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

I did not.

Do you have any additional comments?

I would recommend this book.

Very dark, but riveting!

Would you listen to Thérèse Raquin again? Why?

I might at a later date. It is kind of depressing.

What did you like best about this story?

Kate Winslet's performance.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any of the dominos playing scenes.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me angry mostly, because of the stupidity of some of the characters.

Love

I was worried if I was going to like this story after all the other reviews, but I really liked it. I loved how you hear tje prospective of what is going on from each character. The story line is not for the faint of heart.