Writings by/or about the Marquis de Sade.. Ever read any?

Contributor: Breas Breas
When I had taken Philosophy of Love and Sex in College, we touched on the subject of the Marquis De Sade. I thought he was a very interesting person for his time. I am not particularly interested in his writings, but more so finding out more about him. I'd love some good suggestions on any books or documentaries you have seen on him that you would personally recommend. I've also had the book "Letters from Prison" on my Amazon wishlist for ages, but have yet to purchase it. It's basically a bunch of letters that the he wrote to his wife from prison (or at least that is what I understand of it). Has anyone read this?
10/23/2011
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Contributor: toxie m toxie m
I've always meant to read some of his work, but I haven't yet got around to it. I agree that he is a really fascinating historical individual. I think I'll watch this thread to see what people recommend to start with
10/23/2011
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
Yes, I've read some. That was a long time ago, mid 1980's I thought that it might have been "Letters From Prison" but that one was first published (May 27, 1999) so it could not have been.
10/23/2011
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
I haven't read any of his stuff, but I did see the movie Quills which was about him and I liked it a lot. I would definitely be interested to read some of his writings.
10/23/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
I've always meant to read some of his work, but I haven't yet got around to it. I agree that he is a really fascinating historical individual. I think I'll watch this thread to see what people recommend to start with
Oh I'm so happy to know that I am not the only one. I was hesitant on posting this because I was thinking to myself "oh gosh, they're gunna think I'm a big freak" lol....
10/23/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Taylor
I haven't read any of his stuff, but I did see the movie Quills which was about him and I liked it a lot. I would definitely be interested to read some of his writings.
I actually own that movie!!! And we watched that movie in my college class that I mentioned in the above post!
10/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I've read 120 Days of Sodom and Justine. While they were both very interesting reads, I cannot see anyone finding them arousing unless we're dealing with people who enjoy rape, pedophilia, scat, and murder. If I could see any value in his work, it is that it shed light on sexual behavior that was probably not discussed or acknowledged before he decided to write about it. I can also appreciate his exposure of the hypocrisy of those in authority and those who wear the cloth.
10/23/2011
Contributor: Sex'и'Violence Sex'и'Violence
Yeah I read a lot of his books when I was in high school- not as part of any class obviously, and I thought they were pretty good. I currently have his complete works (in 2 volumes) and my favourite from him has to be Justine- though 120 days of presented some good things as well.

I'd recommend watching Quills with Geoffry Rush and giving Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher Massoch a read.
10/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
Quote:
Originally posted by Sex'и'Violence
Yeah I read a lot of his books when I was in high school- not as part of any class obviously, and I thought they were pretty good. I currently have his complete works (in 2 volumes) and my favourite from him has to be Justine- though 120 days of ... more
I thoroughly enjoyed Quills. I have Venus in Furs on my list of books I need to read.
10/23/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Sex'и'Violence
Yeah I read a lot of his books when I was in high school- not as part of any class obviously, and I thought they were pretty good. I currently have his complete works (in 2 volumes) and my favourite from him has to be Justine- though 120 days of ... more
I'm going to have to read about Leopold von Sacher Massoch, as soon as I seen the name, I knew that name must have something to do with the term masochist so I looked it up.. How interesting!
10/23/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I have to wonder what Sade would think if he were able to somehow see the world as it is today. Today, finding people who enjoy a plethora of kinks is just a click away on the Internet. There is also an abundance of pornography catering to all preferences. Would he be excited? Overwhelmed? Or would he be turned off by the safe, sane, consensual credo of the kink community? If literary analysts are to be believed, the Duc de Blangis from 120 Days of Sodom is a character most like the real Sade. The Duc and his compatriots seemed to believe that criminality added a certain spice to libertinage that was most conducive to sexual gratification. One would surmise that torturing a non-consenting partner would be much more exciting than torturing a consenting masochist to such a person. It makes me wonder if Sade would find modern BDSM players rather boring.
10/23/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I have to wonder what Sade would think if he were able to somehow see the world as it is today. Today, finding people who enjoy a plethora of kinks is just a click away on the Internet. There is also an abundance of pornography catering to all ... more
That's a really interesting point. I think to begin with the wide range of BDSM play that goes on today might be exciting, and the most hardcore players would probably be able to hold his interest for a while, but if consent lessens the spice then I'd assume he'd get bored with the scene sooner or later. Or maybe he'd find some secretly-consenting partners to torture who'd never tell him that they actually liked it and then everyone would be happy, hah.
10/23/2011
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
Never read any of his works, though I am interested. It's merely that what I call my 'philosophical revolution' happened long before I knew about de Sade, and so I've never had a great drive to read his works.
10/24/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
I've read bits and pieces of his work, and I'll be honest, I was kind of disgusted by the type of person he was. I'm not one to judge usually, but I don't understand why some (not all, just some) glorify his personality. He had a fucked up view on sex and treated women incredibly poorly.
10/24/2011