One of my course texts for next semester is the scandalous ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ by Choderlos De Laclos. Though I must admit the collection of letters that this novel is made up of is slightly lengthy and at times monotonously repetitive and ‘wordy’, this was a necessary ploy by Laclos to gain the desired effect. However, these negatives become insignificant because of the larger effect they are part of, which is the ironic misunderstanding and misinterpretations of situations that take place within this overtly prudish, 18th-century French society.
Laclos’ relentlessly crude and unashamed use of irony throughout further reinforces how ridiculous he found the society he is depicting. This is especially shocking for the reader as I’m sure most of use have little historical knowledge of this period, and most of this will be of a refined and innocent society of chaperoned love and reputation through family name. However, Laclos does not completely ignore this idea as characters such as Madame de Volanges and her young daughter (before she is misled by the predatory Madame de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont) are completely oblivious and innocent to the idea of a ‘vulgar’ underbelly to their polished and refined society.
I don’t know if I’d recommend this as a worthwhile read for everyone as the letter effect leaves a lack of description and concentration of dialogue that some readers might find irritating. However, the letters do describe scenes etc so that the reader isn’t left wondering as to what is actually going on.
Now that I’ve read the book, I think it is time to watch the film version and see how well it portrays these juicy and sensual affairs and how it interprets the delicious ambiguity of Laclos’ writing.
The Weekly Squeeze 