Customer Reviews

Dark Eros: The Imagination of Sadism

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Mention the word "sadism" and the results it produces will vary from an embarrassed Victorian blush to righteous indignation that such things should exist at all, not to mention it being a topic for discussion among proper and civilized human beings. Yet to Thomas Moore, a former monk and Jungian analyst and writer, it is precisely this topic that needs to be explored mentally, even spiritually, in order to prevent it from erupting into anti-social, or even criminal acts in the flesh.

Examining the writings of the infamous Marquis de Sade, Moore delves into the healing role of de Sade that digs deeper than the surface appearance of de Sade as pornographer to find value in what is cursorily dismissed as naught but tasteless perversion. According to Moore's analysis of de Sade's writing, the virgin needs the libertine to complement her chastity, as much as he needs her pristine purity to define who he is.

Yet, a deeper understanding of Moore's treatise on de Sade reveals that wholeness is the object of the soul's journey, and that experiencing the self as holy--at the expense of being whole-- unjustly deprives the psyche of its completion. He believes that every human being should be in touch with his Sadean side-- at least mentally-- for human potential not explored is what cripples the soul. Just as there is no stick that has but one end, human potential and creativity must at least acknowledge, without necessarily favoring, the dark side of the psyche so that it's full complexity can be known and appreciated. For Moore, as well as for de Sade, the perverse side of the personna that is forbidden to manifest itself mentally becomes the powerful driving force for enactment in the psycho-socially mal-adjusted person.

It is perhaps society's denial of our own dark eros that enrages and offends most when we see it demonstrated in others, for that denial surely perverts any attempt at self-knowledge, and forces the soul to assume a posture of balance and completeness that is false,lame, and ultimately unhealthy. Moore hints that without personal aknowledgment of the darker depths of our psyches, as de Sade so blatantly illuminates, we cannot hope to soar to our greatest heights, for what we resist persists, and the chains of denial keep us tethered to terra firma instead of flying the limitless skies of our Divinity.

This book is not a quick read, nor is it for the judgmental or faint of heart. It requires time, and a certain willingness examine our own depths, not favoring the dark, forbidden aspects of our psyche, but rather admitting that a Sadean dark eros lies hale and hearty within us all, waiting to be revealed to honest introspection for spiritual growth through courage of heart.

I found this book to be most intriguing. Not as well known as many of Moore's "sweeter" works, I believe that this book is beneficial reading for both clinicians and lay persons alike. Moore's premise is that De Sade serves as a guide to the darker side of humanity, and as such, needs to be listened to. I would highly recommend this book for any clinicians working with sexually aggressive behavior and/or sexual victimization.

Moore provides a quick tour on Sade's perspective in a very objective and comprehensive tone. The end of the book is devoted to therapeutics: form sadistic behavior to Sadeian perspective.
You have to be familiar either with sadomasochism or Sade's work to take the most of the book, as it doesn't provide easy answers. Though, this is one of the most empathetic works I'd ever read. In a theme commonly catalogued and limited as a sexual perversion, the text enables honest, practical discussion.

Over the years the Grand Marquis has been receiving a pretty bad rap. Has he been misunderstood? What Thomas Moore shows in this book is that without the dark side we would not have the bright side, the light. There is a purpose for the dark; it can be both instructive and healing. If you plan on reading anything by de Sade, read this book first. If you are a firm believer that everything is black or white, good or bad, this book might change the way you think. And isn't that what books are for?

Mr. Moore takes a very measured approach to the "dark-side" in this book.
Although sadism and its perversions is something we typically want to run away from, Moore gives us an opportunity to safely approach it from an existential perspective. The dark side exists in our human nature and having a way of understanding it makes us less likely to become dominated by. The "shadow" will achieve control unless we are aware of it and can subordinate it.
Mr. Moore is a great teacher in addition to being a good writer. One of the most interesting aspects I found about the book is his love of words. You find yourself using the dictionary a lot and enjoying it. You soon realize that his fascination with words has to do with appreciating the fact that within the word is the nature and meaning of whatever it is that you are trying to understand. The word becomes the key by which you can unlock meaning. The historical construct of the word provides perspective into our intellectual history and development. Each word we create and use is a step forward in consciousness and awareness.
The book is a good example of how to use depth psychology for understanding the most difficult aspects of our nature.

Thomas Moore's "Dark Eros" has a clear agenda to achieve -- to show that Sade was a genius who saw the reality of the human mind and emotional needs. Unfortunately this agenda clouds his logic at times and limits the quotations and questions he addresses in his book. If you haven't read Sade yourself, please do so before you get this book then judge the comments and theories promoted in this book. This is not to say that Moore analysis is poor or completely incorrect, just that by being so focused on finding the genius in Sade and the sadism in everyday life he is blinded to historical and gender questions and evidence to answer these questions.

My main complain about the book is that I got the feeling the writer was constantly making excuses for his ideas or the ideas of others he was writing about. Like 'we find it disgusting but...', 'this is unacceptable in our society but...', 'for the religious it might sound horrible, however...'. I'm paraphrasing, but this attitude was something I noticed throughout the text. Firstly, this makes the book sound slightly less professional. Secondly, de Sade never made no excuses, so why should one feel to do so when commenting on his writing?

The book touched on some interesting ideas, myths and etymologies but in itself, it is not enough neither for getting enough knowledge nor for satisfying some curiosity.

For now, i would only like to thank you for your insight into the Marquis De Sade and i have not read the recommended book yet. Suffice it to say i was about to slip back into the depravity he has gifted us with. I am into bondage and sadomasochism and i've recently seen the movie "Quills". It gave me the thirst again....for the perversion and depravity of the mind...for the pain and the pleasure intermingled. I was searching for anything ABOUT the Marquis.....but i started to get drawn into the ones BY the Marquis. Until i saw your review, and i wanted to say thank you for that. Because, now i will start the research with the recommended book and post my review. I have a feeling you've helped me tremendously, how much you may never know.