From the back cover:

" 'Putrid Literature', 'a quagmire of slime and blood', 'a sewer' - these were some of the critics' reactions to this novel.

The immediate success which 'Therese Raquin' enjoyed on publication in 1868 was partly due to scandal, following the accusation of pornography; in reply Zola (1840-1902) defined the new creed of Naturalism in the famous preface which is printed in this volume. The novel is a grim tale of adultery, murder and revenge in a nightmarish setting. A thriller and, as Leonard Tancock says in his introduction, a cautionary tale on the sixth and seventh commandments, this early work of Zola's is full of black macabre poetry which has kept its tragic power for over a century."

Picked up cheaply, especially for BookCrossing purposes.

Planning to release it at this evening's 'Authors-With-Names-Beginning-With-The-Letter-Z'-themed BC Meetup being held at The Brigantes in York from 7pm onwards... ('Z' is for Zola!)

releasing, as promised...

Picked up at the December bookcrossing meetup.