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challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book might just be my new most favourite book of all time. Or at least it will proudly stand next to Anna Karenina (need to re-read that one). Yes, there are many faults in the book, hence my 4.5 and not 5 rating. Mdm de Merteuil is presented as the ultimate evil, the ultimate failing as a woman just because she refused to succumb to what society expected of her. The author presents this as bad, I see it as something incredibly admirable. Of course, how she goes about her intrigues is a bit despicable, though she only fights fire with fire.
I needed a last one Valmont/Merteuil letter. It can’t end with a “let there be war” declaration, it just can’t! And yet, it did. Their “love” story, because it is one, could have been one, or rather reminds me of a divorced couple that cannot get back together but will do anything to prevent the other from keeping any sort of happiness. Their pride and need for one-upping each other becomes their downfall. A masterful recreation of the greek tragedy, the ending I did not see coming at all.
For book written in the 1780s or so, there is a surprising lack of self-consciousness about all sorts of sexualities. I am aware that this was meant as a “show of the disgusting behaviour of the aristocracy”, I pointedly ignore this interpretation. I loved it, the fluidity of it, the innuendos. Just another example that writing does not need to be explicit to create tension.
What I could do without was the last few letters. It tied all loose ends quite nicely, yes, but as I said, give me some last letters from Valmont/Merteuil from beyond the grave.
I needed a last one Valmont/Merteuil letter. It can’t end with a “let there be war” declaration, it just can’t! And yet, it did. Their “love” story, because it is one, could have been one, or rather reminds me of a divorced couple that cannot get back together but will do anything to prevent the other from keeping any sort of happiness. Their pride and need for one-upping each other becomes their downfall. A masterful recreation of the greek tragedy, the ending I did not see coming at all.
For book written in the 1780s or so, there is a surprising lack of self-consciousness about all sorts of sexualities. I am aware that this was meant as a “show of the disgusting behaviour of the aristocracy”, I pointedly ignore this interpretation. I loved it, the fluidity of it, the innuendos. Just another example that writing does not need to be explicit to create tension.
What I could do without was the last few letters. It tied all loose ends quite nicely, yes, but as I said, give me some last letters from Valmont/Merteuil from beyond the grave.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual content
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh wow, who would have thought something so risqué would have be published 250 years ago. I devoured this! I am a sucker for despicable and nefarious characters and this book has two of them who are just so enjoyable in their villainy. It is all about the rich playing with people because they have nothing else to fulfil their lives and it depicts this so well that I wouldn't be surprised if this book led some people to join the French Revolution!
Even outside of the two villains, the characters are so well drawn and all of their motivations clear. The format of the story through letters is perfect as it forces you to fill in the narrative gaps and makes the reveals all the more shocking. It also adds perfectly to the gossipy nature of the storytelling. All in all, this has been my biggest surprise of the year and a book I will highly recommend to anyone intimidated by classics but not by dark themes.
Even outside of the two villains, the characters are so well drawn and all of their motivations clear. The format of the story through letters is perfect as it forces you to fill in the narrative gaps and makes the reveals all the more shocking. It also adds perfectly to the gossipy nature of the storytelling. All in all, this has been my biggest surprise of the year and a book I will highly recommend to anyone intimidated by classics but not by dark themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Once considered to be controversial, Dangerous Liaisons has lost some of its colours, thus exposing the flaws that have always been present: it is quite clear that the novel went on for longer than it should've, as evidenced by the repetition of themes and subjects of the letters. There's no personality in de Laclos' writing style, and the epistolary format limits it more.
However, I'm fond of how it portrays emotional manipulation and the character of Cécile; her pure personality works perfectly in the novel to show the debauched nature of Merteuil and Valmont. Unfortunately, the flaws proved to be too severe in my experience.
However, I'm fond of how it portrays emotional manipulation and the character of Cécile; her pure personality works perfectly in the novel to show the debauched nature of Merteuil and Valmont. Unfortunately, the flaws proved to be too severe in my experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5⭐️
Comment faire l’éloge d’une oeuvre qui survit si bien à sa postérité, voire qui a déjà méritée ses lettres de noblesse ? Les liaisons dangereuses de Pierre Choderlos de Laclos met en scène des personnages absolument dépravés qui subissent, à raison, le sort misérable de leurs actions; quoi demander de mieux d’une histoire ? C’est une œuvre choquante et étonnante pour son époque, considérant son exploration crue du libertinage, mais elle en est d’autant plus divertissante pour ces mêmes raisons. C’est une lecture qui, je l’admets, à des longueurs, or lorsque ça dérape… il devient impossible d’en détourner le regard.
Que dire aussi de la scandaleuse Marquise de Merteuil et ses multiples citations toutes aussi cinglante que satisfaites ? «Eh bien, la guerre !» déclare-t-elle comme un refus de soumission aux hommes. Son caractère froid et impétueux était si rafraîchissant; elle demeurera sans doute le personnage féminin le plus marquant que j’aurai lu dans le canon littéraire français. Tout en condamnant ses actions, il me coûte d’admettre qu’elle exécutait sa violence avec une habileté délicieuse. I support women’s right, AND women’s wrongs.
Comment faire l’éloge d’une oeuvre qui survit si bien à sa postérité, voire qui a déjà méritée ses lettres de noblesse ? Les liaisons dangereuses de Pierre Choderlos de Laclos met en scène des personnages absolument dépravés qui subissent, à raison, le sort misérable de leurs actions; quoi demander de mieux d’une histoire ? C’est une œuvre choquante et étonnante pour son époque, considérant son exploration crue du libertinage, mais elle en est d’autant plus divertissante pour ces mêmes raisons. C’est une lecture qui, je l’admets, à des longueurs, or lorsque ça dérape… il devient impossible d’en détourner le regard.
Que dire aussi de la scandaleuse Marquise de Merteuil et ses multiples citations toutes aussi cinglante que satisfaites ? «Eh bien, la guerre !» déclare-t-elle comme un refus de soumission aux hommes. Son caractère froid et impétueux était si rafraîchissant; elle demeurera sans doute le personnage féminin le plus marquant que j’aurai lu dans le canon littéraire français. Tout en condamnant ses actions, il me coûte d’admettre qu’elle exécutait sa violence avec une habileté délicieuse. I support women’s right, AND women’s wrongs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Rape, Abortion
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lost half a star because there was a section in the middle which dragged slightly but the last 100 pages or so were downright juicy. A really good wrap up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Gaslighting
Minor: Violence