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Product Description
Since their first publication in 1821, de Maistre's dark writings have fascinated and appalled critics, with their relentless hatred of the Enlightenment and view of humans as murderous beasts who can only be controlled by the threat of overwhelming punishment. Terrifying and bizarre, The Executioner is a meditation on human evil like no other.
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
About the Author
Joseph-Marie, comte de Maistre (1753 - 1821) was a lawyer, diplomat, writer, and philosopher.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The Executioner
2 Sep 2010
Format:Paperback
First, the Penguin Great Ideas run-down: These editions have no notes, no context, no biography or introduction. You just get text.
This particular volume contains the first, part of the second, and the seventh dialogue from "Les Soirées de Saint-Pétersbourg". The dialogues begin with the old question why bad things happen to good people and why bad people often prosper.
The whole thing suffers somewhat by the argument about Providence and a "well, because that's how God planned it" element which doesn't make it very original or fun to read. The work meanders a bit like a real dialogue. Yet the best parts drop that and are obviously literary.
In two or three places it gets quite good, with wonderful passages about humanity's need for war, and unsurprisingly, the life and role of an executioner. If it weren't for these flights it would be a 2 star review; but they're so good it makes up for the lackluster rest of the work.
This particular volume contains the first, part of the second, and the seventh dialogue from "Les Soirées de Saint-Pétersbourg". The dialogues begin with the old question why bad things happen to good people and why bad people often prosper.
The whole thing suffers somewhat by the argument about Providence and a "well, because that's how God planned it" element which doesn't make it very original or fun to read. The work meanders a bit like a real dialogue. Yet the best parts drop that and are obviously literary.
In two or three places it gets quite good, with wonderful passages about humanity's need for war, and unsurprisingly, the life and role of an executioner. If it weren't for these flights it would be a 2 star review; but they're so good it makes up for the lackluster rest of the work.
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