Dangerous Liaisons Part 2

Let Part 2/Week 2 begin. I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as I am!

I just finished Part 2 and I thought that Prevar's story was somewhat farfetched but funny. I am not sure where the Vicomte's relationship is going. Still enjoying the read.
--BJ

I'm a bit confused as to why the Marquise de Merteuil is so concerned with Gercourt. I think I may have missed the point when this was explained. Is she trying to seduce him or does she have some sort of vendetta against him? Anyone?

I think that she does have a grudge against him from some previous intrigue. I can't recall it exactly, but I think that the vicomte also harbors bad feelings towards him.
--BJ

I think he dumped her for someone else a long time ago. That's the impression I'm getting..

Yes, Gercourt stopped seeing Merteuil and started a relationship with someone (unnamed, I think) who had been sleeping with Valmont. That's why Merteuil attempts to recruit Valmont in the first place, because they have a mutual grudge. It was in letter 1, which I had to reread after in order to understand - I was still trying to figure out who everyone was, so I missed this detail as well.

Interesting. I just assumed Merteuil wanted to ruin Volanges because she was marrying Gercourt who had previously been Merteuil's lover. But the explanations above make much more sense.

At this point, I'm just annoyed with everyone and everything. I'm sick of the flowery writing style. I'm sick of rich people who have too much time on their hands, and people who can't see how they are being manipulated. Hope Part 3 improves...

I actually like the style it's written in, but my translation annoys me sometimes. I have the Oxford Classic edition and every once in a while, a phrase like "he's just a small fry" will be thrown in. It doesn't fit in with the rest of the text because it's slang and I don't understand why the translator* thought this would be a good way to write it.

*I don't actually have my book in front of me so I can't name the translator.

Thanks, Bridget, for your "sick of" comments. I thought I was The Lone Ranger here in having to press on in a book I am so ambivalent about. On one hand, it is very well written; but on the other hand, I can't stand the people being written about...or I should say doing the writing.

Seduction is their game; blackmail is their ace in the hole; and the winner gets vengeance or power over another equally Hedonistic individual. In my world, there is nothing redeeming about that story. However, I will try to put my prudish feelings aside and try to appreciate the absurdity of these "missionaries of love."

It could be that I am tired and grumpy from a late flight last night, and I'm therefore overemphasizing my agitation with the book. I do understand why it is a book held in such high esteem. I like the letter-style of the book. The characters seem to have a great deal of dimension, but yet I'm not interested in any of their stories. I might like to hear more about Merteuil's life and how she became the woman she is. However, I am thoroughly enjoying reading other people's thoughts on the book.

I never thought about the translation aspect of the book. Maybe that is part of my issue as well. I don't frequently read books which have been translated.

>10 Bridget770:: Letter 81 is actually the letter where Merteuil describes to Valmont why she is the way she is. I don't know if you're that far and you just weren't satisfied by the explanation or if you're not there yet, but I thought I'd let you know.

Personally, I'm finding the book a very enjoyable read. The characters are nasty, yes, or just plain to naive, but for some reason I'm still hooked. I like the style and the voices (many letters have me laughing out loud) and I'm continually waiting for the other shoe to drop and for everything to just go bad. I'll admit that the drama between Tourvel and Valmont is starting to get a little tedious. Their letters are just kind of the same thing over and over and over but still, I have no inclination to stop reading.

I hope it gets better for you, Bridget and Donna!

Just finished part 2.

The Prevan backstab was totally unexpected. Merteuil is more interested in the game than the player. Just wow.

The Valmont attempted seduction grinds on and on, assume a real kicker is coming there.

I'm greatly enjoying this so far.

Yep, also getting a bit bored of the Tourvel/Valmont letters.

Merteuil is such a despicable character, but I couldn't help but cheer when she got the better of Prevan. That is, until he was arrested. Is it poetic justice for a bad man to be punished for a crime he didn't commit?

Tourvel/Valmont - yawn.