- Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Classics; New impression edition (29 Sep 1977)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140441166
- ISBN-13: 978-0140441161
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 112,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Les Liaisons Dangereuses (French Edition)
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Product Description
Review
"Christopher Hampton's brilliant adaptation...gives a pitiless and searching portrait of the erotic diversions of aristocrats in putrescent pre-revolutionary France." --"Daily Telegraph"
"Hampton's achievement is to have preserved the satanic magnetism of the twin conspirators while going all out for social comedy. But this is comedy of the highest theatrical kind: edged with danger, replete with pain and forever reminding us that lives are being ruined with the flick of a well-turned phrase." --"Guardian"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"Hampton's achievement is to have preserved the satanic magnetism of the twin conspirators while going all out for social comedy. But this is comedy of the highest theatrical kind: edged with danger, replete with pain and forever reminding us that lives are being ruined with the flick of a well-turned phrase." --"Guardian"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
An epistolary novel chronicles the cruel seduction of a young girl by two ruthless, 18th-century aristocrats.
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First Sentence
A carriage has just come to the door and Mamma has sent to tell me to come to her room at once. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
A carriage has just come to the door and Mamma has sent to tell me to come to her room at once. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having been an ardent fan of the film since it's first release I thought it was about time I read the real thing. I chose this as one translation should be good as another. While I can't comment on the quality of the translation (having nothing to compare it to) the one thing that stops an otherwise excellent book is the droning introduction.
Richard Adlington seems to have an axe to grind. In his haste to do this he manages at times to contradict himself in places within the space of 2 pages. Rather than just giving an historically accurate picture of Laclos he seems to take great joy in trying to rubbish everything that has been written about Laclos prior to this book. While this may be targetted at students with a particular interest in the life of Laclos, I just found his incessant rebukes irriatating.
The second and probably more irrating issue is the continual use of phrases in French throughout the introduction without translation. Surprisingly, I bought a translation because my French is not fluent. By all means put the phrases in French, but at least have the common sense to put the translation in given the whole point of the book is that it is a translation.
If it wasn't for these 2 issues with the introduction I would have given it 5 stars. If Richard wants to write a book on Laclos and get his point of view across then he should do it and not spoil what is an otherwise brilliant and captivating read.
My advice - if you don't have to read the introduction then skip it and go straight into the writings of Laclos.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I am not usually a fan of epistolary novels, but after being captivated by "Cruel Intentions" I decided I had to read the book the film was based on.
All I can say is I was not disappointed. The translation was beautiful, the plot held me spellbound. The characters were compelling and one could not help wishing a little for the Vicomte to succeed in his wicked designs. However what cuts this book above the rest is the collection of letters allows the reader to see events from the perspective of all the characters involved. I would recommend it to anybody.
All I can say is I was not disappointed. The translation was beautiful, the plot held me spellbound. The characters were compelling and one could not help wishing a little for the Vicomte to succeed in his wicked designs. However what cuts this book above the rest is the collection of letters allows the reader to see events from the perspective of all the characters involved. I would recommend it to anybody.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In spite of this being the second time of reading, and having seen two versions of the film, I still burnt the candle at both ends to finish this.
Tension builds up as two jaded and cynical ex-lovers in eighteenth century France, Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil, plot and scheme with selfishness and cruelty to seduce others for their gratification or revenge. The Marquise is incensed when Valmont falls in love, in spite of himself, with a virtuous married woman, but by plotting the downfall of her rival the Marquise brings about an ultimate all-round destruction.
Don't be put off by the fact the book consists entirely of letters. It works perfectly, and the psychological depth of each of the characters is astonishing, particularly the understanding Laclos has of the rivalries between and amongst the sexes. I almost pitied Valmont who realised too late the value of what he had lost, and the unworthiness of her he had made the sacrifice for. I kept thinking of these words from Desiderata: "neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass." Too late, he laments "we are only happy through love."
However I would not particularly recommend this, my 1924 translation and introduction. I am sure it has since been improved.
Tension builds up as two jaded and cynical ex-lovers in eighteenth century France, Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil, plot and scheme with selfishness and cruelty to seduce others for their gratification or revenge. The Marquise is incensed when Valmont falls in love, in spite of himself, with a virtuous married woman, but by plotting the downfall of her rival the Marquise brings about an ultimate all-round destruction.
Don't be put off by the fact the book consists entirely of letters. It works perfectly, and the psychological depth of each of the characters is astonishing, particularly the understanding Laclos has of the rivalries between and amongst the sexes. I almost pitied Valmont who realised too late the value of what he had lost, and the unworthiness of her he had made the sacrifice for. I kept thinking of these words from Desiderata: "neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass." Too late, he laments "we are only happy through love."
However I would not particularly recommend this, my 1924 translation and introduction. I am sure it has since been improved.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Aaaaah Laclos
Laclos is great - even if his other book was a complete flop.
This was actually written as a sort of criticism of the times - but it's only serves as a sort of wonderful... Read more
This was actually written as a sort of criticism of the times - but it's only serves as a sort of wonderful... Read more
Published on 4 May 2007 by L. Dablin
Excellent, and this is the best edition
This is a book that deserves its fame. It surpasses the excellent movie(s) made of it, and justifies Laclos' standing as a memorable writer. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2000
This book was better detailed than those old history books!!
This book was better detailed than those old history books they make me read in history class about the 18th century. It was the best!!!
Published on 22 Jan 2000
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