Overview

In Les Diaboliques there are six tales of female temptresses - she-devils - in which horror and the wild Normandy countryside combine to send a shiver down the spine of the reader. First published in 1874 Les Diaboliques caused an uproar and all copies of the book were seized on the orders of the Ministry of Justice as the book was a danger to public morality. Scandal made the book an immediate success. It is now regarded as a classic and is studied in French schools. Les Diaboliques will appeal to readers of decadent and Gothic fiction especially to those who like femmes fatales in their novels. AUTHOR: Jules Amadee Barbey D'Aurevilly (1808-1889) studied law in Caen in his native Normandy 1829-1833 before going to Paris. He lived a dissipated life, affecting the manners of a dandy and seeking to dull the senses with drugs and alcohol. In 1837 he begins a career as a journalist writing for L'Europe. In time he will become one of France's leading literary reviewers and polemicists. He publishes various books and critical studies but it is the publication of Les Diaboliques in 1874, when he was 66 which makes him famous. It is seized on the orders of of the Public Prosecutor on the grounds of alleged obscenity and blasphemy, but the prominent deputy, Gambetta, intervenes to save Barbey from prosecution.

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9781909232150

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This is a celebration of the seven deadly vices, with no counterbalancing interest in the seven cardinal virtues. Even more, it is a celebration of pride, the pride of the ancient aristocracy of evil, that those who have the style to carry off their vices have also the right to do so. --Robert Irwin

The book is a celebration of the seven deadly vices & shows no counterbalancing interest in the seven cardinal virtues. Even more, it is a celebration of pride, the pride of the ancient aristocracy of evil. Those who have the style to carry off their vices have also the right to do so. Robert Irwin

Author Information

Barbey D'Aurevilly (1808-1889)gave up the law for literasture and left Normandy for Paris where he led a very dissolute life until he converted to Catholicism. A dandy, literary critic and writer he was one of the most well-known figures of his days. The publication of Les Diaboliques when he was 66 made him famous as a writer and also very rich. Irish man of letters, literary critic, writer and translator. He lives in London.

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