Summary

Dangerous Liaisons, a scandalous French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, remains a timeless exploration of seduction, revenge, and moral corruption. Composed entirely of letters between characters, this work caused an uproar upon its release in 1782 for its portrayal of aristocratic decadence. The book's enduring legacy is evident in its numerous adaptations, most notably the 1988 Oscar-nominated film starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich. Laclos's masterpiece continues to captivate readers with its intricate plot, complex characters, and scathing critique of pre-revolutionary French society.

Plot

Dangerous Liaisons follows the machinations of two amoral aristocrats in pre-revolutionary France. The Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, former lovers turned rivals, use seduction as a weapon to humiliate and manipulate others. When Merteuil learns her ex-lover is to marry the young Cécile de Volanges, she enlists Valmont to corrupt the girl. Meanwhile, Valmont pursues his own conquest—the virtuous and married Madame de Tourvel.

The story unfolds through a series of letters between the characters. Valmont succeeds in seducing both Cécile and Madame de Tourvel, seemingly falling in love with the latter. Driven by jealousy, Merteuil tricks Valmont into abandoning Tourvel. Their game of manipulation spirals out of control when Merteuil reveals Valmont's misdeeds to Cécile's music teacher and admirer, the Chevalier Danceny.

The novel reaches its tragic climax as Danceny fatally wounds Valmont in a duel. Before dying, Valmont exposes Merteuil's schemes through a collection of her letters. Merteuil's reputation is ruined, and she flees Paris after contracting smallpox. Madame de Tourvel, consumed by grief and guilt, succumbs to a fever. Cécile, her innocence shattered, returns to the convent. The story serves as a scathing indictment of the decadence and moral corruption of the French aristocracy.

Themes

• Manipulation and seduction as power plays

• Corruption and moral decay of the aristocracy

• Revenge and its destructive consequences

• Contrast between appearance and reality

• Loss of innocence and virtue

• Gender roles and sexual politics

• Epistolary form as narrative device

Setting

Set in 18th-century France, Dangerous Liaisons unfolds against the backdrop of a decadent and corrupt aristocracy on the brink of revolution. The novel primarily takes place in Paris, the epicenter of French high society, where the characters navigate a world of opulent salons, grand estates, and clandestine rendezvous.

While much of the action occurs in the bustling capital, the story also ventures to the countryside, where characters retreat to their lavish châteaux. These rural settings, such as Madame de Rosemonde's estate, provide a stark contrast to the urban intrigues and serve as staging grounds for some of the novel's most pivotal encounters.

The era's rigid social hierarchy and complex codes of conduct form the invisible architecture of the narrative. Laclos masterfully depicts a society obsessed with reputation and appearances, where letters—the novel's primary medium—become powerful tools for manipulation and seduction. This epistolary format offers readers an intimate glimpse into the characters' innermost thoughts and feelings, revealing the desires and drives that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed world.

Characters

• Marquise de Merteuil: A manipulative and cunning noblewoman who uses seduction as a weapon. She is the main antagonist of the novel.

• Vicomte de Valmont: A skilled seducer who partners with Merteuil in her schemes. He is charming but morally corrupt.

• Madame de Tourvel: A virtuous married woman who becomes the target of Valmont's seduction. She struggles between her morals and her growing feelings for Valmont.

• Cécile de Volanges: A naive young girl, fresh from the convent, who becomes a pawn in Merteuil and Valmont's games.

• Chevalier Danceny: Cécile's music teacher and love interest. He is manipulated by both Merteuil and Valmont.

• Madame de Volanges: Cécile's mother, who attempts to protect her daughter's virtue.

• Comte de Gercourt: Cécile's intended husband, whom Merteuil seeks revenge against.

• Madame de Rosemonde: Valmont's elderly aunt, who hosts Madame de Tourvel at her estate.

• Émilie: A courtesan used by Valmont in his schemes to seduce Madame de Tourvel.

• Azolan: Valmont's loyal valet, who assists in his master's intrigues.

Quick facts

• Dangerous Liaisons (Les Liaisons dangereuses) was originally written in French by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, an expert on military strategy and artillery technology. 

• The novel was published anonymously, in four volumes, in 1782, though Laclos was quickly identified as the author.

• Laclos wrote the novel while he was serving as a military officer, basing some characters on people he knew.

• Laclos claimed he wrote Dangerous Liaisons as a morality tale to expose the decadence of the aristocracy, in the years leading up to the French Revolution.

• The novel caused a major scandal upon publication due to its frank depictions of sex and amorality among the aristocracy.

• Dangerous Liaisons is considered one of the greatest examples of the epistolary novel form, composed entirely of fictional letters.

• The novel contains 175 letters written by various characters to each other, exposing their intimate thoughts and desires.

• Dangerous Liaisons can be seen as a response to the moralistic epistolary novels of the period, such as Samuel Richardson's Pamela. Laclos subverts the genre by using letters to reveal the duplicity of his characters rather than their virtue.

• Complex and morally ambiguous, Valmont and Merteuil are considered groundbreaking characters in 18th-century literature.

• Some scholars view Dangerous Liaisons as an early feminist work due to its exploration of women's limited social options.

• The book was banned in some countries, including Austria, for its immorality.

• Dangerous Liaisons has been adapted numerous times for film, television, and stage, including an opera, with various modern retellings of the story in different  settings.

• Notable adaptations include the 1988 film starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich, which won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

• Laclos's unique blend of military precision and literary skill continues to intrigue readers and scholars alike, cementing his place in the canon of 18th-century French literature.

About the Author

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos was a French novelist, military officer, and Freemason born in 1741. His masterpiece, the epistolary novel Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons), was published in 1782 and became an immediate sensation. The novel's exploration of aristocratic sexual intrigues and moral corruption shocked many readers but established Laclos as a significant literary figure.

Throughout his life, Laclos balanced his military duties with his passion for writing. His military background informed his fiction, lending a strategic and calculated approach to the manipulations depicted in his famous novel. During the French Revolution, Laclos aligned himself with progressive ideals and served in various capacities for the new government. He worked closely with the Duke of Orléans and later supported Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power. His political activities led to periods of both influence and imprisonment, reflecting the tumultuous nature of the era. 

Despite the notoriety gained from Les Liaisons dangereuses, Laclos produced few other literary works. His life came to an end in 1803 while serving as commander-in-chief of the Reserve Artillery in Italy under Napoleon. He died in Taranto, likely from dysentery and malaria. Though he produced only one major literary work, Les Liaisons dangereuses has had a lasting impact on French literature and inspired numerous adaptations in various media.