Thérèse Raquin

The vivid descriptions make the characters' inner struggles feel so visceral. I wonder how much of this was inspired by Zola's own beliefs about environment shaping behavior.

Her complex emotions and choices made me question how much empathy we can have for characters driven by desire and despair.

The intense descriptions add to the claustrophobic atmosphere, but I'm curious whether this was a stylistic choice or rooted in his naturalist philosophy.