# Quote — Emile Zola, Thérèse Raquin

> The critics greeted this book with a churlish and horrified outcry. Certain virtuous people, in newspapers no less virtuous, made a grimace of disgust as they picked it up with the tongs to throw it into the fire. Even the minor literary reviews, the ones that retail nightly the tittle-tattle from alcoves and private rooms, held their noses and talked of filth and stench. I am not complaining about this reception; on the contrary I am delighted to observe that my colleagues have such maidenly susceptibilities.

- Author: [Emile Zola](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emile-zola.md)
- Book: [Thérèse Raquin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emile-zola/therese-raquin.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Zola#Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se_Raquin_(1867%3B_1868)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md)
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/emile-zola/therese-raquin/the-critics-greeted

## More from this book

> In reality, one single thought tormented them: they were irritated at their crime, and in despair at having for ever troubled their lives.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emile-zola/therese-raquin/in-reality-one.md)

> Sometimes, forcing themselves to hope, they sought to resume the burning dreams of other days, and were quite astonished to find they had no imagination.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emile-zola/therese-raquin/sometimes-forcing-themselves.md)

> It was like a lightning flash of passion, swift and blinding in a leaden sky.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emile-zola/therese-raquin/it-was-like.md)