Dangerous Liaisons

Description

Dangerous Liaisons (Les Liaisons dangereuses), written by French writer and Army General, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is an epistolary novel published in four volumes on March 23, 1782. The story revolves around two narcissistic aristocrats and ex-lovers Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont. Both play seduction games and delight in their powers of manipulation. In their bid to take revenge on each other, they seduce a pious married woman and a virtuous young maiden, with both of them going to greater extents to satisfy their love for seduction and vengeance until the situation inevitably ends in tragedy. The novel is considered to be one of the most scandalous and controversial novels ever written in European literature, depicting how the wealthier class use their power and money to influence and control others, and exploring themes such as seduction and revenge. It was seen by some as an attack on French nobility, depicting their corruption and general depravity - although others see it as just a story about two people completely lacking in morals. The former theory would appear to be a bit suspect given that Laclos had the benefit of the patronage of Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. The book was also read by the likes of Queen Marie Antoinette. It is possible that the book was only seen as a political work after the French Revolution. The novel inspired many writers and film and stage creators to release adaptations. One of its notable appearances on film was the 1999 teen drama ‘Cruel Intentions.’

№ 8 in The Guardian's 100 Greatest Novels Of All Time.

This book has 141,285 words, and 305 pages in the PDF version. This translation by Thomas Moore was first published in 1812.

Production notes: This ebook of Dangerous Liaisons was published by Global Grey in 2021, and updated on the 19th January 2024. The artwork used for the cover is 'L'Indiscret' by Louis-Léopold Boilly.