When the immoral libertine Monsieur de Franval marries and fathers a daughter, he decides to inculcate in her a sense of absolute freedom, an unconventional education that involves the two becoming secret lovers. But Franval’s virtuous, God-fearing wife becomes suspicious and confronts him, setting off a tragic chain of events.

Part of Sade’s The Crimes of Love cycle, this shocking tale – which was among the writings banned for publication until the twentieth century – tests the limits of morality and portrays the disastrous consequences of freedom and pleasure.

If you enjoy Incest by Marquis de Sade, you might like The Duel by Giacomo Casanova, part of Alma Classics 101 Pages series

The 101 Pages series has been created with the aim to redefine and enrich the classics canon by promoting unjustly neglected works of enduring significance. These works, beautifully produced and mostly in translation, will intrigue and inspire the literary connoisseur and the general reader alike.