Gallimard Publishes Second Volume of 18th-Century Libertine Novels

The second installment of the anthology featuring 18th-century libertine novels has been published by Éditions Gallimard within the Pléiade collection, under the editorship of Patrick Wald Lasowski. This edition focuses on works produced after 1750, deliberately omitting those already included in Pléiade. It delves into the essence of libertine literature, positing that the essence of truth is found in bodily movement. An appendix provides definitions for "Libertin" and "Libertinage." The selected writings present a range of themes and styles, such as fetishism in Le Pied de Fanchette, whipping and sodomy in Tableaux des mœurs du temps, sapphism in Confession d'une jeune fille, and swift gallantry in La Reine de Golconde. The volume culminates with La Messaline française's groundbreaking foutromania, showcasing the creativity of 18th-century novelists.