Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom, and Other Writings

A new translation is needed. ( )

Philosophy in the Bedroom: Incredible that the most frank, most shocking exploration of sex and sexuality that I've ever read was written in the 18th century. ( )

I have given this book a four star, but I really do not know where to classify it.On the one hand, it is a treatise on negation, on proving how God does not exist, and that all that counts, is your own pleasure. It also is an indictment on a society where the upper class people seem to do exactly what they want, without any care about the consequences for others.

On the other hand, it gives an extremely good insight into a mind that was probably unhinged by the prisons and the treatment that he was meted out by the powers that be.

The writing style is turgid, and can be heavy. You need to wade through de Sade's philosophy, and his descriptions of sick minds, and extreme sadism. It is a book that is mentally exhausting, and definitely not for the faint hearted. ( )

I loved this book. Twisted and sick. ( )

I understand that if you are young and in jail, as was Sade, you can dream all kinds of sexual fantasies. The dreams of the marquis de Sade belong to that category. However these dreams are not edited: this is not literature, it is repetitive and frankly not exciting at all for a normal person. Out of jail, Sade had a disorderly life, attacking his young servants and being, even for a 18th century nobleman,- at that time, noble people could get away with a lot of sins- absolutely repugnant. We remember Sade because he gave his name to a type of disorder, but he is forgettable as a character and as an author. It is hard to believe that the monster was born in the south of France in the beautiful and charming city of Lacoste. The castle belongs now to Pierre Cardin estate and half the town is an art school. ( )