In 'Thérèse Desqueyroux', the protagonist battles the suffocating constraints of her provincial life in post-World War I France. Thérèse's marriage to the wealthy and indifferent Bernard becomes a cage, prompting her desperate search for freedom and fulfillment. As she contemplates radical actions against societal expectations, the tension escalates—will she break free or be forever trapped? Mauriac's poignant prose paints a vivid portrait of a woman's inner turmoil and rebellion. This haunting exploration of love, betrayal, and the quest for identity invites readers to question the true price of freedom.
By François Mauriac
Published: 2005
""In the very heart of sorrow, there lies the strength to break free from the chains of convention and to seek one's own truth.""
François Mauriac's masterpiece and one of the greatest Catholic novels, Thérèse Desqueyroux is the haunting story of an unhappily married young woman whose desperation drives her to thoughts of murder. Mauriac paints an unforgettable portrait of spiritual isolation and despair, but he also dramatizes the complex realities of forgiveness, grace, and redemption. Set in the countryside outside Bordeaux, in a region of overwhelming heat and sudden storms, the novel's landscape reflects the inner world of Thérèse, a figure who has captured the imaginations of readers for generations. Raymond N. MacKenzie's translation of Thérèse Desqueyroux, the first since 1947, captures the poetic lyricism of Mauriac's prose as well as the intensity of his stream-of-consciousness narrative. MacKenzie also provides notes and a biographical and interpretive introduction to help readers better appreciate the mastery of François Mauriac, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1952. This volume also includes a translation of "Conscience, The Divine Instinct," Mauriac's first draft of the story, never before available in English.
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“"In the very heart of sorrow, there lies the strength to break free from the chains of convention and to seek one's own truth."”
THERESE DESQUEYROUX
By François Mauriac
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
François Mauriac (1885-1970) was a prominent French novelist, critic, and essayist known for his exploration of themes such as sin, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships. A recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1952, Mauriac's notable works include "Thérèse Desqueyroux," "The Knot of Vipers," and "The Silence of Love." His writing style is characterized by its psychological depth and lyrical prose, often delving into the intricacies of faith and morality within the context of the French Catholic experience.
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