How to Read Sade

by John Phillips

Book Overview

John Phillips introduces the Marquis de Sade's highly original and thoroughly subversive depiction of human sexuality, and the philosophical and political thinking that underpins it. He shows how, though Sade's work continues to shock, it can also be seen as the logical conclusion of eighteenth-century materialism. As the only writer of his time who dared to put the body at the center of philosophy, Sade has a unique place in the history of modern...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393328228
• ISBN13: 9780393328226
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 130 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Why read Sade?

This is a very short book in a series of short books which attempts to assist in dissimilating textual patterns of the subjective authors. In the case of Sade, there are many assumptions which the audience tends to bring to the reading. The importance of Sade lies in how the text is referenced. Sade has been revisited several times in the last century and interest is currently still flaring. Why? This is yet another attempt to explain the phenomenon of validating Sade. Several good points--its hard to stay aloof when reading Sade. Do try to balance this material with a few other essays on the subject before "diving" into Sade, however. This book is the beginnings of a compass--but it will not bring you back!