The Marquis de Sade’s Some Thoughts on the Novel, written in 1800 while he was a prisoner in the Bastille, shows that the author of 120 Days of Sodom, Justine, Juliette and Philosophy in the Bedroom, was not only a remarkably astute and insightful literary critic, but that he also truly understood and appreciated the literary genre he excelled in.

In this three-part essay, Sade traces the etymology of the term ‘novel’ and then presents a comprehensive and detailed history of the novel. In the final part of this book, Sade gives advice on writing and sets out his conception of the novel.

Originally published as Idée sur les romans in France in 1800, R J Dent’s modern English translation of the Marquis de Sade’s insightful and thought-provoking essay on literature and writing is now available in a bilingual edition from Oneiros Books.

Product details:

Title: Some Thoughts on the Novel
Author: the Marquis de Sade (D.A.F. de Sade)
Translator: R J Dent
Publisher: Oneiros Books
Publication Date: October 2021
Format: Paperback
Pages: 112
Language: English and French (bilingual edition)
ISBN: 978-1-4717-9695-1
Dimensions: 9” x 6” (23cm x 15cm)
Some Thoughts on the Novel is available here:
https://incunabulamedia.com/r-j-dent-1