The Mystified Magistrate: And Other Tales [Hardcover]

Marquis De Sade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2000

Published for the first time in English is the comic and scandalous light fiction of the Marquis de Sade, who--despite controversy surrounding him--possessed a mordant but undeniable sense of humor. The title piece of this volume is a delightful skewering of the Provencal judge who sentenced Sade to death in absentia in 1772.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Donatien-Alphonse-Fran ois de Sade (1740-1814), sometimes referred to as the "Divine Marquis," spent 27 years (half his adult life) in jail. When his increasingly unconventional behavior in public embarrassed his family, his mother-in-law schemed to keep Sade behind bars by petitioning the king and bribing justices. Ironically, it was she who made Sade a writer, for during those long periods of confinement and isolation his fertile imagination ran rampant, and he turned to writing. By the same author who penned the pornographic novel, Justine, these stories are rather tame in comparison, but all the familiar themes are there: homosexuality, lesbianism, torture, and disdain for the courts. The collection features the novella "The Mystified Magistrate," which mocks one of the judges who sentenced Sade to prison, as well as ten shorter works. It will be enjoyed by readers who appreciate the author's mordant wit, possess a sense of humor, and take a bemused or scholarly interest in Sade's bizarre personality. Recommended for all public and academic libraries.DBob Ivey, Univ. of Memphis
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Written during the notorious Marquis's long imprisonment for indecency and blasphemy, these comparatively benign cautionary tales eloquently mock the hypocrisy of draconian lawgivers (in “The Windbags of Provence”), lascivious clerics (“The Husband Who Turned Priest”), and even Sade's own mortally offended mother-in-law (“Emilie de Tourville”). The graceful title novella offers a scathing and ribald portrayal of a fictional Judge (Fontanis) based on a real one (de Fontien) who had been instrumental in putting the anarchic nobleman away. Most of the 11 shorter tales are, as noted, defenses of free love in all its varied forms or spirited vilifications of those who presume to limit its expression. An elegant addition to an important (if troubling) “oeuvre,” skillfully translated and handsomely presented. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing; English language ed edition (February 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559704322
• ISBN-13: 978-1559704328
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,601,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars De Sade is not for the weak of heart, July 5, 2001

By 

Jamie Shaffer (TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystified Magistrate: And Other Tales (Hardcover)

Although the Marquis De Sade was harshly judged for his works, people of this day and time shoud have more of an open mind. Napoleon burned De Sades books in outrage, and although our consitution is based on the Napoleonic code....we have freedom a speech and press. All of De Sade's writings can be taken librally but one does need an open mind. This book is sexually explicit as are practically all of his writings. But for those with a open mind....and no children looking over their shoulder, it is a wonderful read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marquis De Sade, lite, July 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mystified Magistrate: And Other Tales (Paperback)

This was an excellent collection of some of De Sade's shorter works. The stories are quite funny and nice for a lite reading of Sade. I highly recommend this to those who dare not venture into some of his other more explicit works, but also to those who are looking to round out their Sade readings.

If you like this, or if you found it too mild, i highly recommend the 120 Days of Sodom and Justine, both fantastic books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book, June 2, 2002

By 

David (Colorado, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystified Magistrate: And Other Tales (Hardcover)

This is a fantastic collection of short stories. "Fraternal Cruelty," was probably my favorite "dramatic" story in the collection, and looks like it could be the basis for an Academy Award winning short film. "Love's Strategy," was interesting, I guess, and "The Teacher's Philosopher," was another strange one. "The Gascon Wit," was hilarious. These stories are for the most part easy to read, very funny, very dramatic, and at times exhilarating.