Young George Dupont learns from a doctor that he has syphilis, but cannot bear to postpone his wedding to Henriette. Ignoring medical advice, he marries, and the novel follows the consequences for his wife, their child and their families. Sinclair adapted Eugène Brieux’s controversial play Les Avariés with the playwright’s approval, keeping much of the dialogue.
A landmark of public-health fiction from the author of The Jungle, written to break a dangerous silence. Download the free EPUB.