120 days of Sodom

By: Marquis de Sade

Narrated by: Paul Spera

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

"The 120 Days of Sodom" is "the most impure tale that has ever been told since our world began". It was written by the Marquis de Sade, a french noble man, in the space of 37 days, while imprisoned in the famous parisian Bastille. Fearing confiscation, the Marquis de Sade, Donatien-Alphonse-François, had to write it on a continuous roll of paper, made up of small pieces glued together. The original manuscript is now on display in Paris, and is the third most expensive kept in France, insured for 12 million euros.

Four unbelievably wealthy aristocrats lock themselves in a remote medieval castle, along with forty-two victims and accomplices. Ensues the often unbearable description of perversions. This unfinished novel is a testimony to how dark the human soul can become when pushed to its limits.

Donatien-Alphonse-François, Marquis de Sade was a French aristocrat, revolutionary politician, philosopher, and writer, famous for his libertine sexuality. His works include novels, short stories, and plays. De Sade is best known for his erotic works, which combined philosophical discourse with pornography, depicting sexual fantasies. He was a proponent of extreme freedom, unrestrained by morality, religion, or law. The words sadism and sadist are derived from his name.

À réserver aux adultes.

©Compagnie du Savoir (P)2016 Compagnie du Savoir

Shockingly imaginative.

I'd heard of stories about the Marquis de Sade but had never read any. Shocking.

Narration underwhelming

No professional narrator myself, I could do a much better job of dramatizing the prurient elements of this horrific tale. I'm not even boasting. The narrator's monotonous recitation pace is too fast and way too flat. He fails to realize, much less enhance, so much of the ironic humor that underscores the shock value of this never-bested example of unrestrained pornography. The remarkable piece, in itself, is to me ample proof that a clever writer's art can elevate virtually any literary genre. I give the story top marks, but the narration is woefully inadequate. What a disappointment in the final analysis; I ask you: which is the greater sin, to narrate such a tale at all, or to do it so poorly? Overall, three stars at best.

hard story to get through

thank goodness for the narration as I am not sure i would have survived reading the book. while the narrator could come off as monotonous he did excell at read through the complexity of the story. while not as difficult as Shakespeare in text it was definitely foreign to the current English vernacular.

A better love story than Twilight & 50 Shades

Not much of a story per se as a laundry list of repulsive imagery; still, it is well written and stands as a critique of the debauched decadence of the time in which it was written.

The narration is well executed, however there is a small number of technical issues in the recording. There are at least two static pops that should have been cleaned up in production: one at 5:06-8 in chapter 11 and another at 12:37-9 in chapter 13.

Wow! the deprevity is astounding.

The story itself is well written. The narration was well performed. Oh the story is disgusting. The premise and thought that went into this story is astoundingly horrible. Listen at your own risk.
Trigger warning: Child S. A.

Lewd, disgusting, irredeemable

I remember hearing about the Marquis De Sade from the time I was a young boy in high school, but his writings had been banned for many years and I had, in spite of searching for a long time for a copy to read, not been successful in finding one. I had almost given up on it, when it suddenly, and to my great surprise, appeared on Audible. Well, I have now listened to it and found it to be one of the most repulsive, disgusting pieces of pornographic literature I have ever listened to. Much of it is enough to make even the most divergent and corrupted mind sick at the reading. I am a senior, gay man and I have a personal history of sexual activity which I considered to be rather broad-spectrum. I've often said that I will try anything once, maybe even twice. But there are scenes in this book which, had I even been a witness of, would have made me vomit. I have learned, through the reading of this book, that being a hedonist is nothing like being a libertine. But, as it has been my desire for over 40 years to acquire and read something of the writings of the Marquis De Sade, I can now say that I have accomplished my goal. Now, all I can say is be careful what you wish for.

Unbelievable

The longest three and a half hours of my life. I helped run a Strip Club during Covid… and this was worse. I give credit where credit is due, that be that as it may, it is considered something of classic literature. Beyond a shadow of a doubt my hardest read ever; I recommend to anyone seeking to enlighten themselves however… proceed with caution.

what's not really impressed

was not really impressed first of all the book is way too gay for me I don't do gay and secondly the reader or narrator I guess was way too flamboyant

DO NOT BUY- not the whole book

This is not even a fragment of the whole book not even any of the shocking parts don’t waste your money

Do not buy only a fraction of the book

I find it incredibly shameful that auditable would sell this knowing it's not the entire book. what next have to pay per chapter? Auditable, REMOME THIS.