L'Anti-Justine; ou, Les Delices de l'amour

Name: L'Anti-Justine; ou, Les Delices de l'amour
Author: Restif de La Bretonne

By Restif de La Bretonne

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French Literature Novels Sexuality & Erotica

About This Book

The narrator frames a deliberately erotic, first-person account that aims to contrast violent, punitive portraits of pleasure by presenting libertine desire as joyous rather than cruel. Told through episodic vignettes and confessional asides, it mixes explicit sexual scenes, transgressive encounters (including incest and other boundary-breaking relations), erotic instruction, and satirical commentary on rival writers and social mores. Intermittent moral rationalizations and vivid sensory description alternate with comic exaggeration, sketches of characters and encounters, and occasional illustrative engravings. Overall the work stages a provocative defense of unrepentant sensuality while testing the limits of taste, intimacy, and literary provocation.

About the Author

Restif de La Bretonne

Restif de la Bretonne, a French novelist and playwright of the 18th century, is known for his exploration of human sexuality and social issues through a lens of realism. His works often reflect the complexities of love and desire, as seen in notable titles such as "L'Anti-Justine; ou, Les Delices de l'amour" and "Contes de Restif de la Bretonne / Le Pied de Fanchette, ou, le Soulier couleur de rose." His writings contribute significantly to the literary heritage of the Enlightenment, offering insights into the cultural and moral landscape of his time.