Subject
French fiction -- 18th century Books
Best books
Restif de La Bretonne
L'Anti-Justine; ou, Les Delices de l'amour
"L'Anti-Justine; ou, Les Delices de l'amour" by Restif de La Bretonne is a novel published in 1798. Presented as the memoirs of lawyer Jean-Pierre Linguet, this work explicitly positions itself as a response to the Marquis de Sade's notorious writings. The author seeks to create an equally sensuous but non-violent erotic work, replacing Sade's cruelty with pleasure. The novel remains unfinished, with only four copies ever printed before the author's appointment to a police position apparently prompted caution.
Voltaire
Micromégas
"Micromégas" by Voltaire is a philosophical tale published in 1752. It describes the visit of two giants to Earth: Micromégas from a planet near Sirius, and the secretary of Saturn's Academy. This representative work of the Enlightenment blends social, religious, and moral criticism with scientific observation. It emphasizes philosophical relativism while rejecting metaphysical speculation in favor of empirical experimentation. The tale stands as one of the earliest philosophical stories, challenging human vanity and exploring humanity's place in the universe through reason and scientific inquiry.
Voltaire
Zadig, ou la Destinée, histoire orientale
"Zadig, ou la Destinée, histoire orientale" by Voltaire is a philosophical tale published in 1747. Young Zadig navigates a fantastical Orient where fortune constantly shifts between favor and cruelty. Falsely accused, narrowly escaping punishment, and rising to become Babylon's Prime Minister, he faces injustice, superstition, and danger at every turn. When his forbidden love for Queen Astarté is discovered, Zadig must flee, encountering colorful characters while never losing hope of returning to claim his destiny in Babylon.
Denis Diderot
Jacques le fataliste et son maître
"Jacques le fataliste et son maître" by Denis Diderot is a philosophical narrative written between 1765 and 1784. A master and his servant Jacques travel together, with Jacques promising to recount his love affairs along the way. Their journey becomes a playful experiment in storytelling as the narrative constantly digresses, interrupts itself, and challenges the conventions of the novel. Through embedded tales, philosophical debates, and direct addresses to the reader, Diderot creates a complex work that questions fate, free will, and the very nature of fiction itself.
Jean-Charles Gervaise de Latouche
Le portier des Chartreux, ou mémoires de Saturnin écrits par lui-même
"Le portier des Chartreux, ou mémoires de Saturnin écrits par lui-même" by Jean-Charles Gervaise de Latouche is a French novel published in 1741. This celebrated erotic work follows the monk Saturnin as he recounts his life story through a series of sexually transgressive encounters. Beginning with forbidden relationships and progressing through various taboo-breaking experiences, the narrative interweaves humor with sharp criticism of church and society. Saturnin's journey culminates in unexpected consequences that lead him to seek final refuge in a Carthusian monastery.
Anonymous
Histoire de Mlle Brion dite Comtesse de Launay (1754) Introduction, Essai bibliographique par Guillaume Apollinaire
"Histoire de Mlle Brion dite Comtesse de Launay" by Anonymous is a fictional narrative written in the mid-18th century. The novel presents the life of Mlle Brion, who recounts her experiences and escapades in a world of libertinage and societal expectations. It delves into themes of desire, identity, and the complexities of love and sexuality during a time of burgeoning enlightenment in France. The beginning of the story introduces Mlle Brion as she prepares to reveal the details of her life at the behest of a friend. With a frank tone, she reflects on her past of libertinism, revealing her awareness of public perception while expressing her tumultuous relationship with pleasure and morality. Mlle Brion describes her childhood, her family's circumstances, and her entry into a life of indulgence as a means to escape her familial burdens. As the opening unfolds, we see her navigate the complexities of her social environment, giving us a glimpse into her early relationships and the libertine society she has become entwined with, setting the stage for further explorations of her adventures and encounters.
Voltaire
L'Ingénu
"L'Ingénu" by Voltaire is a philosophical tale published in 1767. A Huron man arrives in France and views French society with innocent candor. He falls in love with Mlle de Saint-Yves, but their romance faces obstacles from religious authorities and tyrannical powers of Louis XIV's era. The work satirizes abuses of power, religious constraint, and corrupt administration while exploring themes of reason versus dogma and the state of nature. Through dramatic and emotional storytelling, Voltaire crafts a tale of thwarted love and tragic fate.
Jacques Cazotte
Le diable amoureux
"Le diable amoureux" by Jacques Cazotte is an occult romance published in 1772. When young Spanish nobleman Don Alvaro invokes Satan, the devil falls in love with him and disguises himself as a beautiful woman named Biondetta. As Biondetta attempts to seduce the virtuous Alvaro throughout their journey together, the line between reality and illusion blurs. This pioneering work established the *fantastique* literary style, leaving readers uncertain whether supernatural events truly occurred or existed only in the character's imagination.
Voltaire
Le Monde comme il va, vision de Babouc
"Le Monde comme il va, vision de Babouc" by Voltaire is a philosophical tale published in 1748. The angel Ituriel sends Babouc, a Scythian, to observe the city of Persepolis and determine whether its corruption warrants divine punishment. As Babouc journeys through the city, he encounters contradictions at every turn—splendor and squalor, virtue and vice, wisdom and foolishness. His observations swing between disgust and admiration, challenging his judgments about what makes a society worthy of survival or destruction.
Voltaire
Memnon ou la sagesse humaine
"Memnon ou la sagesse humaine" by Voltaire is a philosophical tale published in 1749. The story follows Memnon, who resolves to live as a perfectly wise man by renouncing passion, staying sober, and cultivating friendships. His carefully laid plans quickly unravel through a series of misfortunes, leading to an encounter with a celestial spirit who offers unexpected counsel. This tale explores human folly and questions whether happiness can be achieved through reason alone, presenting a less optimistic view than Voltaire's earlier works.
Voltaire
Jeannot et Colin
"Jeannot et Colin" by Voltaire is a philosophical tale published in 1764. Two childhood friends from Auvergne take divergent paths when Jeannot's family suddenly acquires wealth and a noble title, moving to Paris while Colin remains behind. As Jeannot embraces a frivolous life of vanity and abandons his humble friend, fortune's wheel turns unexpectedly. This tale explores themes of true friendship, social climbing, and the shallow nature of wealth through the contrasting destinies of two young men.
Voltaire
Le Blanc et le Noir
"Le Blanc et le Noir" by Voltaire is a literary work written in the mid-18th century, specifically during the Enlightenment period. This book is a narrative tale that explores themes of fate, destiny, and the duality of human nature through the story of love and misadventure of its central character, Rustan. The narrative is part of the larger collection titled "Contes de Guillaume Fade," which showcases Voltaire's witty yet philosophical examination of life. The story follows Rustan, a young man from Candahar, who falls deeply in love with a princess from Cachemire after meeting her at a fair. Despite his obligations to his own family and society, he embarks on a journey to be with her, facing numerous obstacles including misfortune brought on by his own servants, Topaze and Ébène, who represent contrasting aspects of fate. Throughout his travels, Rustan encounters various challenges symbolizing the struggle between good and evil, ultimately leading to tragic misunderstandings and heartbreak. The tale concludes on a somber note as Rustan's quest for love results in loss and sorrow, reflecting on the complexities of destiny and human decisions.
Recently surfaced classics