Les liaisons dangereuse by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos- 1782- 409 Pages- translated and edited by Douglas Parmée; introduction by David Coward- 1995- (Oxford World Classics)

 Les liaisons dangereuse by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos- 1782- 409 Pages- translated and edited by Douglas Parmée; introduction by David Coward- 1995- (Oxford World Classics)

This was the most read French novel during the 18th Century. It was condemned by the Church which served to increase reader demand.

"The lesson in happiness in Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a simple but profound one: happiness is real, not a pose. If you pretend to be something you’re not—and especially if you feign emotions you don’t have—sooner or later you will be found out. Les Misérables is a demonstration of how meaningless happiness is in the face of the suffering of others. Les Liaisons Dangereuses takes this a step further. It’s about one of the worst things any human being can do: actively and intentionally destroy the happiness of others. The one pleasure the Marquise de Merteuil and Valmont take is in dismantling any happy moment that others might be experiencing. Choderlos de Laclos shows us what he really thinks of this by giving them their comeuppance. This is a novel that leaves you feeling unsettled and unsure as to how exactly you’ve been manipulated." Ver Goskup

I added this book to my wishlist after reading Viv Groskup's chapter on it in Tristesse: Lessons in Happiness from French Literature. It is an epistolary novel, a form which allows authors to make us of their characters private thoughts before the interior monologue came into usage. I was happy to see mentions of Samuel Richardson's classic epistolary work Clarrisa, 1748, in several letters.

(L'Abbé Antoine François de Prévost (1697-1763) was 

its first translator in 1751, later it was translated by Rousseau and Denis Dedirow, among others.)

Wikipedia has a decent plot summary so I will just make a few observations.

I do really hope I can watch the 1988 movie starring Glenn Close.  

It took me a bit of time to be drawn into the work. The letters are not fully candid, often aimed at manipulation of the receiver. We are drawn into a world of corruption brought about by the boredom of aristocrats. Seducing married women is a popular pastime, servants can be bribed to shield affairs from husbands. The letters are replete with sycophantic prevarication. It is an interesting challenge to slowly develop our understanding of intentions.

This is the author's only work besides a light opera and a few poems.He wrote it in six months while on leave from serving as a general in the French Army. He also is credited with inventing the modern artillery shell.

Viv Groskup sums up the power of this novel perfectly

"It is uncwhether the Choderlos de Laclos meant this novel as a provocative piece of entertainment intended as a celebration of amorality or as a political statement damning the aristocracy for their decadence and cruelty. Is it a celebration of libertinism? Or a vicious critique of it? The author’s intentions can never be known. Which I think is rather wonderful, as it means that we get to decide for ourselves. Furthermore, this boo is a perfect example of the sort of book that challenges your expectations and your morality over time. There are times when I can read (or watch) Les Liaisons Dangereuses and find it hilarious and delicious and clever. And there are times when I can come to it and think that it is a depiction of the absolute worst of humanity, so much so that it makes me want to weep forever."

Mel Ulm