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)

Was hoping for more

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I love Kate Winslett! She didn't disappoint, but the book was agonizingly depressing!

Has Thérèse Raquin turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes!

What does Kate Winslet bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She paints a picture with her voice and words.

Did Thérèse Raquin inspire you to do anything?

What.....think twice about killing my husband????

Any additional comments?

Wish I'd known more about the subject matter before buying!

Ahead of its time.

A gruesome tale filled with passion, lust, hate, and bitter remorse. you won't be able to stop listening I promise you that.

Kate is incredible but the story is ... not

What does Kate Winslet bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice and inflections for the different characters was astonishing and very memorable. She's an incredible talent.

Was Thérèse Raquin worth the listening time?

This book has some very memorable moments but across the board, I didn't enjoy it.

Any additional comments?

I chose this book partly because I was curious about Kate Winslet's choice... found out later that she had been attached to a movie version so that explains it.

Wanted it be over

Great character portrayal. But the story is so dismal, and the characters so unlikeable that it became miserable to endure. Much like all of their lives. I guess that was Zola's point. But the last half was tough going. Winselt is excellent but cannot overcome the oppressive story.

Well Presented - depressing story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I think my headline says it all. VERY depressing story but the presentation by Kate Winslet was excellent. Pick a happier story next time, Kate!! ;-)

Better than reality TV...a truly wicked romance!

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

With Kate Winslet reading it, I'm sure that it is! I have not read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

The originality of Emile Zolde's take on the world's oldest tale of passion and obsession gone bad. You feel yourself going mad with the characters...(or was that Kate Winslet's doing?)

Which scene was your favorite?

I had three....the opening stage of Mother/Aunt and cousins and her determination to stay

Superlative in every way

What made the experience of listening to Th??r??se Raquin the most enjoyable?

This is my favorite 'classic' and I have read it many times, but hearing it in this recording made the characters really come to life. One could almost smell the Seine and hear the cacophony of sounds coming from the Arcade.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't think any of the characters were particularly likeable, but all were full blown, flawed human beings and as such were interesting and tragic.

What does Kate Winslet bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Kate's reading of this conveyed her love for the novel and her various intonations, rhythm and emotion for the words and the story really brought it to life. She really drew me in to the story and made me feel a part of the novel. She truly breathed life into these tragic characters.

Any additional comments?

This is one of best read books I have bought from Audible. I can't wait to listen to it again.

So-so story line but great performance

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I thought the book story line dragged on to long about the same issues. It didn't keep my interest. Kate Winslet's excellent performance made this slightly more bearable.

Perfection

Would you listen to Thérèse Raquin again? Why?

This is how Emile Zola was meant to be heard. Kate Winslet is perfection

Be Careful What You Wish For

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes

If you???ve listened to books by Emile Zola before, how does this one compare?

n/a

Which scene was your favorite?

The final one where Therese and Laurent commit suicide

Could you see Th??r??se Raquin being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

Good read, and Kate Winslet is a wonderful narrator. I'd never read anything by Zola before, but would read him again.