Pierre-Ambroise-François Choderlos de Laclos

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Les Liaisons dangereuses

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

Douglas Parmee

The complex moral ambiguities of seduction and revenge make Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782) one of the most scandalous and controversial novels in European literature. The subject of major film and stage adaptations, the novel's prime movers, the Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil, form an unholy alliance and turn seduction into a game - a game which they must win. This new translation gives Laclos a modern voice, and readers will be able a judge whether the novel is as `diabolical' and `infamous' as its critics have claimed, or whether it has much to tell us about the kind of world we ourselves live in. David Coward's introduction explodes myths about Laclos's own life and puts the book in its literary and cultural context. - ;The complex moral ambiguities of seduction and revenge make Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782) one of the most scandalous and controversial novels in European literature. The subject of major film and stage adaptations, the novel's prime movers, the Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil, form an unholy alliance and turn seduction into a game - a game which they must win. This new translation gives Laclos a modern voice, and readers will be able a judge whether the novel is as `diabolical' and `infamous' as its critics have claimed, or whether it has much to tell us about the kind of world we ourselves live in. David Coward's introduction explodes myths about Laclos's own life and puts the book in its literary and cultural context. - ;The Oxford World's Classic edition offers students an excellent introduction to this classic text and also important notes and chronologies. - Dr. Paraic Finnerty, University of Portsmouth.

Oxford World's Classics

Timeo Williams

An interesting take on romantic endeavors from a while back. I listened to the Audible version and look forward to the paperback version.

Charlotte Massie

J’ai adoré ce livre, c’est une œuvre incroyable ! Et je crois qu’il n’est pas nécessaire que j’entre dans les détails. 

Mais je dois dire que j’étais profondément déçu de la fin. Même si je suis heureuse que Valmont et Mme de Merteuille ont eu ce qu’ils méritent, j’ai trouvé la fin du roman plate et la pauvre Cécile sera malheurs dans le choix qu’elle a fait, c’est certain. J’aurais pensé qu’elle et le chevalier se seraient sauvés ensemble… mais bon.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Melody Izard

This is a story of playing games with the heart and with sexual desire. It's really hard to control either. I've seen this movie, but it didn't help me love the book.

Chiho Saitō

La marquise de Merteuil et le vicomte de Valmont, rivaux libertins, utilisent le sexe comme une arme d'humiliation et de dégradation, tout en profitant de leurs jeux cruels. Leurs dernières cibles sont la vertueuse Madame de Tourvel et la jeune Cécile de Volanges qui est tombée amoureuse de son professeur de musique, le chevalier Danceny. Afin de gagner leur confiance, la marquise et Valmont feront semblant d'aider les amants secrets qui ne seront en fait que des pions servants leurs jeux sadiques...

Le Vicomte de Valmont

Les liaisons dangereuses

petit-chocobo

Jeni Enjaian

It's getting progressively harder to review these classics.As I read through these books I'm realizing that there's a reason that I haven't read these books yet. They're just not my thing. That being said, I've got about 16 more to go so...
I do like the format of this book and probably would have been better served by reading the book in the original language. (I don't speak French but if I did...) I think that the translation takes a bit away. I also am not familiar with the ranking, type and gender of all of the titles mentioned at the outset of each letter. Since these titles were for all intents and purposes the names of the characters and helped orient the narrative this took a bit away from the narrative for me. I found it hard to distinguish between the characters because of the former and also because the entire book is in first person.

Beyond the narrative format, I found it difficult to identify with and even care about any of the characters. The goings on of the upper class holds none of my interest. Parodies of such life have even less of my interest.

I do believe that this book would have been better served by a much slower, more careful reading.

I recommend this book only for aficionados of French literature and those reading through the classics.

Danielle Martin

The complex moral ambiguities of seduction and revenge make Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782) one of the most scandalous and controversial novels in European literature. The subject of major film and stage adaptations, the novel's prime movers, the Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil, form an unholy alliance and turn seduction into a game - a game which they must win. This new translation gives Laclos a modern voice, and readers will be able a judge whether the novel is as `diabolical' and `infamous' as its critics have claimed, or whether it has much to tell us about the kind of world we ourselves live in. David Coward's introduction explodes myths about Laclos's own life and puts the book in its literary and cultural context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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