The Marquis de Sade: A Life

by Neil Schaeffer

Neil Schaeffer presents here a wholly original, compellingly human portrait of the divine Marquis, the enigmatic legend whose name is synonymous with brutal perversion and cruelty. Against a magnificently embroidered backdrop of eighteenth-century France, he shows us Sade's incredible life of sexual appetite, adherence to Enlightenment principles, imprisonment, scandal, and above all inexhaustible imagination. Based on a decade of research and utilizing work never before published in English, The Marquis de Sade is a definitive work that confronts nearly two hundred years of myth to reveal a Promethean figure of astonishing complexity.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, France, Biography Memoir, 20th Century, Classics

567 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

The probable reason I found this in the clearance section at a used book store, is that it is DULL. The worst thing a book about The Marquis de Sade should ever be. It was a "removing the myth, and reporting the facts" type of biography; usually so fascinating when it comes to historical topics. I finally gave up on page 310 (out of 516 total) when I had to ask myself what I was reading. Apparently, once you remove the myth and legend of this man, all you are left with is a possibly mentally disturbed person, but more than likely just someone who wanted to examine the norms of his time and then break them.

Before I had read this book, my impression of this man was one of chilling sexuality. A man of decadence, daring, and almost violent sexual urges. Unfortunately, the only truly outrageous (but honestly, made me chuckle and say "what? really??") was a time where he fed tainted candies to prostitutes. The reason? And, apologies for any vulgarity here, was so they could fart in his mouth. I kid you not.

So the image I will forever now have in my head of feared Marquis de Sade is of his face, firmly lodged in the butt crack of a hooker, waiting for her to fart in his mouth.

Some myths should most definitely be left intact.

[John Edward O'keefe III · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dense read. There is no getting around that. This publication touches upon some of De Sade's works and helps to shine context on those dark pieces of literature. Otherwise, this is talking about the life of the Comte.

It is fascinating to learn of the controversies, and how his life played out during the most tumultuous period in revolutionary France.

The Comte de Provence. Le Marquis De Sade. Citizen Sade. This is a book using primary materials to inform on this enigmatic, controversial character. It is a slow read at first, but I found once we arrive to the revolution the story becomes intriguing and carries the reader along. It feels like learning the context of occult literature, or having found oneself in the dark arts section and being presented the history of that forbidden area of magic. Even hell, has it's heroes.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what you might think - if you are looking for BDSM porn try elswhere. This is a seroious bigography about a fascinating person's fascinating life. The subject is as much mis-understood today as he was in his lifetime. The book covers aspects of the French revolution and the subject's role in it, and his survival from it, as well as his tempestuos relationship(s) with his family and that of his wife's. There is obviously some reference to his salacious works, particualrly The 120 days of Sodom, but this is far from gratuitous. A scholarly work well-written by a master biographer, and as such an illuminating and enjoyable read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute best biography on the Marquis de Sade that I've read, and I've read a few. I can't say enough good things about this book. The amount of research (and thus, information) in this book is intense, but never overwhelming. Neil Schaeffer does an incredible job at portraying the Marquis de Sade as the complex human being that he was, rather than the one dimensional monster that many of his contemporaries -and people throughout history- were more than happy to write him off as. He was many, many things -not all of them good or pleasant, but he wasn't a symbol or a bogeyman, he was a real human being with an astonishing imagination, who could be incredibly funny and playful.

I can't recommend this book enough. Give it a read if you're interested in the Marquis de Sade or anything he wrote.

[Aidan Rynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the two hundred years since Sade’s death his name has come to represent only one thing: the tendency to derive pleasure from other people’s pain. In truth, Sade was so much more. He was a writer, a philosopher, a revolutionary, a father of three and a romantic. He was also a pornographer, a libertine, and a total size king. His life embodied so many radical extremes in ideas and experiences that the task of doing his life justice seems impossible. Neil Schaeffer achieves the impossible with this biography.

Schaeffer's research is excellent, bringing to life the world around Sade as well as revealing the deepest levels of Sade’s own psyche through a wealth of sources. Schaeffer hold’s back when there is a gap in knowledge, giving his theories but ultimately reminding us that some things are a mystery. What we do know, however, is incredible. Sade’s life plays out with so much poetry. His various rises and falls, glimmers of redemption and then damnation make it hard to believe that all this could have possibly been experienced by one man. If his life were a work of fiction it would be considered a literary masterpiece, but Sade did exist, and he really did experience these things.

I am yet to read any of Sade’s major novels, but after reading Shafer’s biography I can’t help but feel that they will be a side-note to the true work of art which was their writer’s very existence.

If you have even the vaguest interest in the Marquis de Sade, consider this essential reading.

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thorough study of the Marquis de Sade, both his life and work. Schaeffer draws heavily on letters, journals, and Sade's surviving novels, plays, and essays to profile the man and analyze the legend. A worthwhile read for those with an abiding interest in the Marquis, although probably best for any casual readers to skip this one. The only complaint I have is that in parts this biography drags, and there's no excuse for these boring sections when the subject is such an infamous figure.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stillborn.

[Bey Deckard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little drier than I would have liked and at times repetitive, but a good read nonetheless.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite lengthy but fascinating look into the life of de Sade, who I got intrigued by due to his infamous (and mostly undeserved) reputation and many people name-checking him as one of the first libertarians, who with an inquisitive mind challenged religion, morality, authority and other received wisdom of the time.

Puts a lot of the cruelty of his writings into the context of failed military adventures into Russia, the poverty of the lower classes under the aristocracy and the angry and violent justice meted out to the Ancien Regime on its way to the guillotine. It also seems that his 120 days of Sodom was the basis for one of the first studies on paraphilias, not bad for a work of fiction.

Worth reading to dispel many of the assumptions about him, and definitely one to inspire those who feel the urge to right against huge obstructions (incarceration, absence of writing materials, disgust of most publishers)

[spooky · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is not nearly as fun as i had hoped it might be. it reads like a history textbook, doing more to explain sade's whereabouts than his disgusting, sadistic (yet highly entertaining) exploits. through his letters to his father, he reveals himself to be every man i've ever dated. a spoiled, passive aggressive baby who refuses to take responsibility for himself. not exactly the mastermind of perversion i was expecting.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A- Absolutely fascinating. This thick book is definitely worth the effort, and made me want to re-read Marquis de Sade's books. The Marquis de Sade was even more insane than I thought; this details his entire life extensively, from his writings to his perversions to his arrests to his extensive yeras in prison. He believes his lies, is selfish, manipulative, cruel, but absolutely fascinating. Thanks to V for recommending.

[Marie]

I will probably be reading this on and off for the next two years. Not having read any of the Marquis de Sade's actual works, this book is definitely absorbing but at times Schaeffer spends way too much time on obvious analysis, to the point that you're reading the same thing twice--an excerpt of a letter, for example, and then a play-by-play summary of what that letter said.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good biography. Anyone who thinks they know about the marquis de sade and sadism, think again.

It's a fascinating book about a fascinating man.
It can be a bit plodding in places but with the read anyway.

[Eowyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

not enough i read him, i must know him too...i wonder about myself. great biography.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

tough read...it was a case of getting thru the boring stuff, and sticking thru for the cool stuff...but i did what i accomplished...i learned about his life...

[Aggie V · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit hard going but extremely fascinating. I thought the biographer did a good job of coming across as objective as one can be writing about such a subject.

[Paddy O'callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond any reasonable doubt the greatest biog of anyone ever. READ IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Paddy O'callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond any reasonable doubt the greatest biog of anyone ever. READ IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will curl your hair!