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.”

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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)

Hauntingly beautiful

Where does Thérèse Raquin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best because of Kate Winslet's narration - it was so well dramatized - I was lost in the times and the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Madame Raquin - she was selfish - but she just wanted happiness for her son and niece. Everyone else was so dastardly.

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

Her passion in retelling a story she remembers reading as a teenager.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Compelling, Complex, and wickedly dark.

Any additional comments?

I want to read more Emile Zola :)

Excellent reading of difficult material

This is a psychological story typical of its time. Not as accomplished as a crime and punishment and lengthier than I would have appreciated, I still enjoyed Zola's colorful exacting descriptions and character profiles. This is a book for slower comprehension to get the full impact. I recommend to those who like entertainment with contemplation.

Performance can't save unconvincing story

Kate Winslet's strong, measured performance here couldn't fully mask the extreme melodrama of this story. The characters all seemed flat and false, just vessels for unrestrained, almost hypothetical-seeming emotion. For all the build-up, it was still impossible to buy into that level of hysteria.

Predictable, yet satisfying

Although not very imaginative, it is a satisfying tale of sorrow, selfishness and agony. Well written and thoroughly descriptive, it is an excellent work of writing.

Only slight room for improvement in pronunciation

Beautiful story. Well read. Just slightly disappointed that there wasn't the correct English pronunciation of some words, such as "physiognomy" (with a silent G).

outstanding!!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is a classic

What was one of the most memorable moments of Thérèse Raquin?

When Therese and Laurent let out their secret to their Aunt.

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

She is an outstanding reader and it was better than going to see a movie.

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

Yes - all of it.

Winslet purrs...as the story depresses!

What did you like best about Thérèse Raquin? What did you like least?

There is some real cleverness in the story. The darkness is reminiscent of Poe and O Henry

Would you ever listen to anything by Emile Zola again?

no...too depressing. None of the characters are likable. Translation from French can be awkward at times

Which scene was your favorite?

The End

Do you think Thérèse Raquin needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no...one was plenty

Any additional comments?

Get Winslet to read more books!

Macabre tale but brilliant reading!

Brilliant reading by Kate Winslet
Dated psychological thriller
Kate had many voices for the characters
Must like writing of Zola

worth a listen

"Be careful what you wish for" would make a better title for this book.

I was wondering why Kate Winslet chose this book, published in 1865, to narrate. I now understand that the movie version is due out in 2013. Kate Winslet was attached for a long time to star in the lead role. Then Eva Green replaced her with Gerard Butler as Laurent. In the fall of 2011, Elisabeth Olsen was announced as a replacement in the lead role with Glenn Close as Madame Raquin and Tom Felton. This book has been adapted on film many times and in several languages, going as far back as a silent film adaptation in 1915. That must have been interesting. I'm really looking forward to Glenn Close's eyes burning into Thérèse after Madame Raquin becomes mute and learns the truth.

The French author, Emile Zola, intended to study temperaments and not characters. His main characters were assigned various humors according to Galen's Four Temperaments: Thérèse is melancholic, Laurent is sanguine, and Camille is phlegmatic. The characters are often given animalistic tendencies, every one of them almost entirely consumed by self-interest. Thérèse and Laurent are often rightly described as brutes.

I don't generally finish a book in which I don't actually like ANY of the characters. After all, why should I spend time with them if I don't like them? But Kate Winslet's excellent narration kept holding my attention until I began to understand and better appreciate the story. I'm glad I listened to it, and I can now see its significance and influence on other later works of literature. Stick with it to the end and you'll appreciate the overall story and the style of writing as well. It must have been amazing when they performed this on stage in an opera, which lends itself so well to the drama. An interesting story on many levels.

Narration terrific, but story tends to drag on

Would you consider the audio edition of Th??r??se Raquin to be better than the print version?

have not read this book so don't know

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

I have not read other Emile Zola books

Have you listened to any of Kate Winslet???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Kate Winslet was terrific with her narration and her narration was what kept my interest in this book

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

no extreme reactions

Any additional comments?

I think this is probably a great book and I would have been more satisfied with it if I had read it. I just did not have much appreciation for Emile Zola's style of writing. the story is very good and engaging, the narration just seems to be too much in a number of places.