Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons)
45. Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (trans. P. W. K. Stone)
This epistolary novel is a ruthless depiction of sexual mores and manners in pre-revolutionary France. The young and beautiful Cécile de Volanges, fresh out of a convent school, is betrothed to a respectable man whom she has never met; however, she is completely naïve about matters of love and sexual conduct. Therefore, she is the perfect tool for the predatory Marquise de Merteuil, who bears a grudge against Cécile’s fiancé. To exact her vengeance against this man, the Marquise decides to bring about Cécile’s seduction and thus her ruin. Helping the Marquise is her friend and former lover, the Vicomte de Valmont, who gladly contributes to Cécile’s corruption while also pursuing a virtuous married woman for his own amusement.
This book caused a lot of outrage and controversy on its first publication, and after reading it, I can see why! Although there are no sex scenes as such in the book, the characters’ letters leave no doubt as to what’s going on: like one of the Marquise’s nightgowns, they “reveal nothing and suggest everything.” The two main characters are the Marquise and Valmont, both of whom are unquestionably bad people; they are totally selfish, they manipulate everyone around them, and they have absolutely no scruples or remorse. However, they are incredibly fascinating to read about! Despite the evil behavior of the characters, I don’t think the book endorses immorality; rather, it calls attention to the weaknesses of the society of that time, particularly the folly of keeping young girls so sheltered and ignorant. This is an extremely interesting period piece that remains entertaining for modern readers.