Gothic Tales

This was such a cool collection. Sade constantly was taking me for a spin, and when I thought I knew what was going to happen in the tales, it took me in another direction. I love gothic tales, and I like how Sade puts their own spin to it. The writing was engaging, and the stories were well-paced, allowing you to read them one at a time or continue throughout the book and read multiple at a time.

Gothic Tales is a collection of short stories by the infamous Marquis de Sade, a man whose moral compass didn't appear to have a needle. Even today the subject matter of many,probably most,of these stories might be considered shocking by the average reader,as indeed they were by the Parisian courts,but they're certainly not without merit.

De Sade is a master story-teller and surprisingly philosophical. From the very short but stunning, "The Horse-Chestnut Flower" to "Emilie de Tourville", a torrid tale with more twists than Jeffery Deaver's last 5 books combined there's certainly a variety here.
The language at times does get somewhat "flowery" but it was written a few hundred years ago so is pretty much "of it's time".

Not for the narrow-minded,possibly not for the majority of the broad-minded either ,I'd suggest Googling the author before deciding if it's going to be for you or not.
De Sade can certainly write..and tell a tale,but please,please be aware that the subject matter of most of these stories will not be for everyone.

If you like classic writing with 18th century setting, this is for you. There are eight tales and they are certainly arousing and ignites passion in heart and mind. For the gothic aspect, I felt there were just dark fantasies with burning desire. The stories are provocative and thought provoking while writing is descriptive and lyrical.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley.

A surprisingly enjoyable collection of stories! de Sade wrote in a very eloquent way which makes the shocking things he wrote about seem more despicable but this collection of stories is quite tame in comparison to his other, more famous works. It's a shame that the internet exposes people to so many horrific things because it does take some of the shock factor out of these stories.

Once you look past the more depraved stuff, de Sade's commentary on religion, social structures and the position of women in society is really interesting and I found it surprising how many parallels I could see between his writing from the 1700/1800's and the modern day.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this collection

This was my first time reading anything by Sade and I actually really enjoyed it! I feel like the introduction really explained everything well; I knew what I was getting into. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised as well. I noticed someone else had mentioned in another review how Sade’s tales reminded them of Aesop’s Fables, but for adults and I absolutely agree! If you enjoy the weirder side of things, stories with underlying meaning, and older stories with themes that still hold true today, then I recommend delving into some Sade. I know I’ll be checking out more of his work for sure.

Beautifully haunting stories.

Marquis de Sade has always been a spectacular creator, this is truly no exception.

If you're looking for a set of short stories that will send a shiver down you spine, that are expanded on their original publication (due to findings since), this is for you.

il marchese de sade è uno scrittore molto particolare, le sue opere particolarmente disturbanti ed erotiche spesso incantano e disgustano. Ho chiesto questo arc più che per conoscere l'autore ma per vedere le edizioni di un autore che non vedo molto chiacchierato in Italia. nulla da dire, racconti molto belli ed edizione meravigliosa!

Marquis de Sade's Gothic Tales is a collection that explores the depths of human depravity and the complexities of desire. With a reputation for pushing boundaries, de Sade's writings delve into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, challenging societal norms and unveiling uncomfortable truths about our nature. These gothic stories are a tapestry of devious fantasies and daring liaisons. Each tale unravels the transgressive desires of unforgettable characters, exposing the raw emotions and primal impulses that drive human behavior. From incest to adultery, no taboo is spared as the boundaries between good and evil blur. Beyond their erotic nature, de Sade's stories also tackle Enlightenment philosophy. They serve as a sharp critique of the hypocrisy and repression prevalent in Pre-revolutionary France. De Sade challenges the moral code of his time, unveiling the hidden vices and debauchery that lurk beneath the surface of society. For decades, de Sade was condemned by Parisian society and imprisoned for his writings. His work became so notorious that his name was deemed unmentionable in respectable circles. However, his ideas and artistic vision have endured the test of time, remaining as relevant to our society as they were to his own. Gothic Tales is a challenging and unsettling read. It confronts us with the darkness within ourselves, forcing us to confront our own desires and the limits of our morality. While it may not be suitable for all readers, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a controversial writer who dared to push the boundaries of human understanding. These stories delve into the darkest depths of human nature, revealing uncomfortable truths about our desires, societal hypocrisy, and the fragility of our moral code. While not for the faint of heart, they offer a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

What a beautifully written collection of Gothic tales from the talented de Sade. If I'm understanding correctly, these are newly updated and expanded stories based upon new literature from de Sade being discovered and they eloquently explore the dark and depraved side of human nature in a way that few others have managed to emulate.

As you might expect if you're a fan of de Sade, this collection was a bit of a wild ride!
Some stories were great ("Emilie de Tourville" being my favorite) while others were a bit lackluster and harder to get through.
But the writing is just beautiful throughout, and if you love the opulent prose of the 1800s this one is probably one of the greatest examples!
That being said, this collection definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. The explicit content and dark themes might be too much for some readersーalthough I would imagine most people know what they're getting themselves into when they pick up a de Sade book. Just... maybe don't give it to your grandma.

If you're into gothic literature and love taboo themes and stepping outside of the comfort zone, Gothic Tales is a must-read!

Maquis de Sade has won me over with this! i was struck by how much I loved these stories. A must read!

I went into this book, expecting to be scandalized by the infamous Marquis de Sade. Now, having read it, I have to say that the writing is much more modest than anticipated—although, I suppose in the Georgian times it was decidedly scandalous. That is not to say that it doesn't hit on many illegal and/or taboo topics, because it does. If you read this one, just go in with an open mind and realistic expectations.

Good writing. Interesting stories. Some serious moments and some humorous moments. I found the horse-chestnut story to be particularly delightful.

I do need to mention that this is a bit of a challenging read, as is most writing of that time. So, expect a slow pace and many long, convoluted sentences (although I did find that the shorter stories read better than the longer ones).

A strange, but fun read.

Soooo wonderful. Gothic Tales contains a handful of work by de Sade, of which the novellas Eugénie de Franval and Florville and Courval make up the bulk of it. This was my first collection by the author, and they were so much fun! The work is disparate enough in tone that I can say assuredly that the term "gothic tales" is more to sell copies than anything (the original title, Eugénie de Franval and Other Stories is far more appropriate, though far less likely to be taken to check out). Much of the delight in these stories is the melodrama—It reminded me of how fun reading early 18th-century work like Love in Excess by Eliza Haywood could be—and the stories often ran like a contemporary telenovela.

The fun of it all could be obscured by the bits of real horror, of which the first novella, Eugénie de Franval takes the bulk of. While sometimes obscured by the ridiculousness of the situation, de Sade writes moments of real hand-over-mouth disgust, surprise, and terror that somehow transcend the 200 years since his words were written. His style is dated, there's no argument, but what I love about 18th-century work is that political and religious diatribe, of which de Sade has much to say. His mind is fascinating: how unique it is to read true moral ambiguities from a man born half a century before the French Revolution! To explore these big questions through sex and the institutions we have built around them! I must read the rest of his work!

The only real criticism I can make against this book is the introduction, which is more of a statement on this edition being simply a reproduction of previous publishing houses' work. The work as it stands was first translated in 1965 by Margaret Crosland for Neville Spearman Ltd., who wrote a small introduction for the 1990 edition when Peter Owen Publishers owned the rights. This introduction is extremely poor and does not appropriately introduce the material in the book as it should, which is especially egregious as it's both a collection of stories written throughout his life AND written by someone whose infamy precedes himself, colouring the entirety of this work. Doing some digging, it seems Pushkin Press has bought the Peter Owen press and simply made a reproduction of the last edition :( This was the most disappointing feature of this book: If you are going to hold the translated rights to work in a genre as complicated as the Libertines please do it some justice and hire a proper academic to write a proper introduction!

In all though, a wonderful time.

I am a huge fan of the sadistic Marquis de Sade. I loved reading this collection of his tales as it helps dive into the mind of insanity through trauma and really makes you feel unsettled. A good book to read right before bed, as it’ll give you that chill down your spine.

This was my first time reading anything from this author so I was not prepared! Luckily I enjoy reader the darker themes so it did not bother me at all. These stories were well written but definitely not for everyone.

Sometimes, you gotta read the classics, and let me tell you, this one that collects a bunch of debauched bourgeoisie and their goings on is up there for a reason. As evidenced by the title, these are obviously a bit on the dark side, but it's still a treat.

It's always interesting to read a well-written collection that is not for you. The prose is great, the ideas are unique to say the least, and I was equally shocked, horrified, and intrigued by the stories.

A bit too much incest for my liking lol but what can you expect from the man who is literally in the dictionary under the word Sadism.

I have to admit, I LAUGHED OUT LOUD at the ending of the "Horse-Chestnut Flower." What a wild ride that was.

All in all, 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A collection of dark gothic tales that is written in de Sade's salacious and racy prose with a side of philosophy for the good, naughty and cheeky.

This is actually quite a tough book to review as de Sade is not the easiest author to read but I think if you're aware of all that's associated with his writings there are things to enjoy about it.

There's obviously lots of awful things in his stories, so go in with your eyes open and be prepared to be shocked and often disgusted.

That's being said, there are some turns of phrase that I found quite lovely and some social commentary that can be studied by reading his work.

I would recommend for those who enjoy gothic fiction with very dark themes.

Thank You Pushkin Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

As a lover of gothic tales, this collection satiated what I look for in them; unsettling, dark, and well written! This was my first time reading De Sade, but certainly won't be my last!

Iconially this author is known for his passion and erotic themes within his writings. This is a collection of stories that give an insight into the author's signature style of writing. Told from the gothic these will be entertaining for many who enjoy such works.

Shocked.
Disgusted.
Entertained.

This is my first Marquis de Sade book and it did not disappoint. I am a lover of all things dark and gothic but do warn that this may not be for everyone; check the TWs. Amazing prose with a few LAUGH OUT LOUD moments; such a delight.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy/early read opportunity!

This is a fun collection and I think it will work well within our library's collection. Always nice to have a set like this to save some space too.

This book drew me in with its electrifying plot and never let go. The story was filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author’s ability to weave a suspenseful narrative with complex characters made for a captivating and thrilling experience. It’s one of those rare books that truly thrills and engages, making it a standout in the genre.

I love anything gothic and this book was just that. I was drawn in by the cover and stayed for the plot! There were a few instances I struggled to get through but that was purely due to my inability to stay focused lol.

This is the first time that I have read anything from the Marquis de Sade directly and I have seen from my research that these tales are some of the most accessible of his work. Of course this is an author whose reputation precedes him but what I found most interesting about the short stories were how they were more concerned with the philosophical limits and constructions of virtuousness rather than violence or cruelty. These deal with still taboo themes of incest in many places but they often function as part of a wider philosophical analogy about goodness and the inherentness of morality. I think it's a wonderful translation and an interesting place to start if you want to understand more about the history of French philosophy and thought.

I didn't know what to expect from this collection, considering that the Marquis de Sade was a rather controversial and provocative figure throughout much of his life, but I'm glad that I kept an open mind about reading some of his work.

Misadventures aside, the man was a uniquely gifted writer who wasn't afraid to graze the edges of what society thought was appropriate, and those attributes are on full display in Gothic Tales. In my favorite short, Florville and Courval, we see an unhibited woman unburdening herself as she confesses to her "sins", and in doing so, she finds freedom from societal expectations and normative feminimity.

The other stories seem to create an odd marriage of high-brow and hilarious, smart and, well, trashy (see: Self-Made Cuckold), but all of it is fun, and unlike anything else I've ever read. I was genuinely disappointed when I'd reached the end of the collection.

Gothic Tales definitely is meant for a certain kind of reader. If you watch SNL and find yourself clutching your pearls during each sketch, then this isn't for you. If you have an open mind and an irreverent senses of humor, then you should add it to your TBR.

Witty, transgressive and accessible collection of Sade stories. As a Sade scholar, this really breaks down the intricacies of Sade for the everyday reader and allows an avenue to approach the misunderstood writer and thinker.

A great introduction to the works of Marquis de Sade! I think some are daunted by older literary works but this book felt accessible as well as outrageously cheeky and insightful,

This was a great collection of stories which were definitely gothic and taboo. A few stories I thought I knew what was going to happen but always ended up being surprised. The writing's pacing is great as sometimes I read a few in a day and other days I was satisfied with just one. I think they would be great to revisit, especially with the gothic 18th century nature around spooky season!

Amoral or moral? You decide the Marquis's intentions. Not for the squeamish.

I've attempted de Sade before and always come away unable to complete (smutty joke intended). I wasn't actually aware of the content of these stories before starting, Gothic Tales to me meant something else, though I was actually pleased to discover this was very readable, and definitely had the genre feel of the Marquis throughout.

A set of short stories, some 2 pages long, others 50, all with the tone and content the name conjures up, but nothing that takes it so far to make it impossible to read.

Saying that - there's a whole lot of hellish impure stuff going on in these pages! Fornication, impure relations, and an unexpected amount of moralising.

Some horrifying stories here, a lot of ill-used women and rakish men, and I have to admit at the conclusion of one in particular I laughed aloud as all the threads came together in one fiendishly hellish finale that I now struggle to describe to friends.

It's over the top, it's delightfully amoral, and it really isn't for those who like light beach reads. A classic of its own kind, glad I can finally say I've had a moment with the Marquis.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

Turns out I’ve read most of these stories before, but it makes sense to repackage them here for their gothic themes and add a pleasing cover. My hope springs eternal, with each new edition, that Sade gets placed in his rightful political context, his radical philosophy that’s more dangerous than any pornography.

For example, in “Eugénie de Franval,” you get people who bail at “ugh, incest” (which: fair) without ever making the connection that for dozens and dozens of pages Sade is setting up the parallels of a god that would supposedly create in his image and then confine his creation to an infantile, subservient existence, call it love, and give free reign to a government that exploits that theology to oppress its citizens. If incest sickens us, then why are we not disturbed by that? And so on, using individual cruelty to illustrate the cruelty of church and state, ripping at the seams of civility and rattling the chains.

I relish Sade for his boldness; I’m disturbed by Sade for the same. If Justine or Juliette is too daunting, then his short stories are an adequate aperitif. (Although Philosophy in the Bedroom is still the best introduction to Sade’s themes, IMO.)

This is a very fun collection of darker Gothic stories. Most of these will actually be familiar to readers in some capacity, and that made it extra comforting to read through. It's bold and distrubing at times, and deeply introspective at others. When you think about how this was written in the 18th century, it really was ahead of its time—especially since Gothic wasn't even an established genre yet.

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Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this title. These thoughts are my own.