"Fran?ois Mauriac's masterpiece and one of the greatest Catholic novels, Th?r?se 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 Th?r?se, a figure who has captured the imaginations of readers for generations." -- from publisher's website.