Why this book was attacked as "filthy" and "obscene" is beyond my comprehension. If there ever was a book that warned against the wages of sin, it is this one.

Thérèse is brought up by her aunt, who dotes on her son, Camille, encouraging his tendency towards invalidism. It is her dream, ultimately realized, that Thérèse and Camille marry. There is no real love there, however, and it's not much of a marriage, so when Camille's colleague, Laurent, a lazy but attractive man, begins to visit their home, Thérèse is drawn to him, and the two begin an affair. Their burning desire to be together leads them to murder Camille, and, after a period of time, to marry.

But they find that they are haunted by Camille and find no rest or respite.

Will leave at the Harris Theater during the Chicago Opera Theater's performance of Tobias Picker's opera, Thérèse Raquin, based, obviously, on the book.