Updates: BBD World Lit for February and the Group Read

This month, the BBD has been focused on French, Belgian, and Algerian literature as our lit destination. Rob kicked it off with a great post about surrealism, and mentioned a few writers to check out: Raymond Queneau, Georges Simenon, Jean Genet, Jules Valles, Guy de Maupassant, and others. Check out the post to get more information about February's world lit!

Also, we've been in the midst of Thérèse Raquin by Emile Zola, our group read for the month of February, suggested by Beth C. The discussion is being led by none other than our lovely Alicia; although yours truly has not gotten her hands on a copy just yet, the discussion has already evoked strong responses from our members. Alicia says, "Thérèse Raquin tells the story of a young woman, unhappily married to her first cousin by a well-intentioned and overbearing aunt. Her cousin, Camille, is sickly and selfish, and when the opportunity arises, Thérèse enters into a tragic affair with one of Camille's friends, Laurent.

In his preface, Zola explains that his goal in this novel was to "study temperaments and not characters" and he compares the novel to a scientific study. Because of this detached and scientific approach, Thérèse Raquin is considered an example of Naturalism."

The naturalistic writing approach has stirred up a bit of controversy among our group members--some appreciate it, some despise it! Check out the thread to read more about our group pick this month, and chime in if you've read it!