120 days of Sodom

By: Marquis de Sade

Narrated by: Paul Spera

"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

Not as good as the movie.

Talk about crazy!! Expected more but well written. Loved the narration. Looking for more from this author.

Bruh… no.

Disgusting overly descriptive imagery of c3pedohs and their exploits. For some reason I was led to believe it was going to be a horror story, which yes… it is…. But not at all what I was expecting. Once I learned about the author it makes sense.

Seriously, just think of awful child exploititive stuff. There. That’s the entire book non stop.

Short

Interesting but I can not believe it is sold as a "whole" book for a full credit. Loke for Poe several of these short stories should be collected and offered together.

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.