Therese by F. Mauriac
A beautifully written book, as relevant today as it was in the 1930's when it was first published in France. However, today we would attribute the actions of the chief protagonist, Therese, to acute psychiatric problems, rather than a discontent with her stifling bourgeoise life.
Following the birth of her daughter, Marie, the young married woman, Therese Desqueyroux, attempts to poison her husband. She is completely disinterested in her baby and views her life, husband and extended family through a post-partum cloud of depression. Mauriac, as all novelists of genius do, has captured a human condition without knowing the modern name for it. His portrayal is accurate, drawing, as it does, precipitating factors, character and location into the whole picture.
Prior to her marriage, Therese, was a girl of intense emotions. She was very attracted to a young female friend, then became enamoured of her future husband, and then, on her wedding day, she experiences a reversal of emotions.
As a result of her actions, Therese is condemned to an exile from her family and home. Initially, she is elated by her freedom in Paris. In the course of the following years, however, she leads a futile, enervating existence, and comes to despair of her existence.
Mauriac also paints a picture of the properous middle class of France in the 1930's which has often been a mystery to readers of contemporary fiction. The narrow, isolationist ideals of some remote areas, where family loyalty reigns supreme is well depicted.
This is a timeless novel. Therese is a fascinating creature with whom it is easy to emphasize, in spite of her all to visible flaws.
