Sade : A Biographical Essay

by Bongie, Laurence L.

• ISBN13: 9780226064215
• ISBN10: 0226064212
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-03-01
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

The writings of the Marquis de Sade have recently attained notoriety in the canon of world literature. Now Sade himself is often celebrated as a heroic apostle of individual rights and a giant of philosophical thought. In this detailed investigative work, Laurence Bongie tests these claims and finds them unfounded and undeserved. "A valuable correction to the perception of Sade as a profound thinker, a great writer, and a martyr to liberty. Drawing on original archival work, Bongie tries to illuminate Sade's childhood and his relationship with his parents. . . . Fluent and well-informed."--Library Journal "Mr. Bongie . . . has written an investigation focusing on one aspect of Sade's character and development, his heretofore neglected relationship with his aristocratic mother. . . . A profitable selection."--Richard Bernstein, New York Times "A welcome corrective. Bongie's book . . . aims to deflate the exalted claims made about the marquis by demonstrating that he was a monstrous character."--Scott Stossel, Boston Phoenix Literary Supplement

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction	1	(8)
Part One: Antecedents
Mysterious Mother	9	(10)
A Diplomat and His Wife	19	(18)
Desperate Measures	37	(11)
The End of a Promising Career	48	(11)
A Mystery Explained	59	(12)
Part Two: Transgressions
Master and Pupil	71	(9)
Surpassing the Master	80	(9)
War and Marriage	89	(8)
Jeanne Testard	97	(10)
Arcueil	107	(11)
Tigress and Cub	118	(11)
Beheaded and Burned at the Stake	129	(9)
All for a Dying Mother	138	(13)
Part Three: Mothers, Whores, and Bogus Politics
A Mother Much Loved?	151	(19)
Mothers Much Hated	170	(12)
The Mother-in-law	182	(14)
Vignettes of Vengeance	196	(16)
When Do We Believe Him?	212	(9)
His Finest Lie	221	(13)
Feudal Rights and Nature's Laws	234	(37)
Conclusion	247	(24)
Appendix I Chronology	271	(10)
Appendix II Sadean Criticism: A Postscript	281	(20)
Appendix III Two Letters from the Comtesse de Sade	301	(4)
Notes	305	(22)
Index	327