The Torture Garden: Complete and Unexpurgated [Paperback]

Octave Mirbeau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 2009

A modern translation of Le Jardin des Supplices.

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Olympia Press (August 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596547723
• ISBN-13: 978-1596547728
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #904,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hidden Masterpiece!, September 25, 2009

By 

Andrew Beyzman "brooklynlion" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Torture Garden, Complete and Unexpurgated (Kindle Edition)

This book by Octave Mirbeau caused an uproar when it was initially published in, I believe, 1900. And it is no surprise. It is, in essence, a look at ancient methods of torture as an art form. It will either shock you or repel you; it is like a duck pate: either you love it or hate it. I personally think it is one of the most remarkable novels ever written. If you can see past the grotesque and graphic descriptions you can appreciate the extraordinary originality of this work. It is an excellent example of "decadent" literature: artificiality outdoing nature; "seeking" - to quote Chimera from Flaubert's fantastic work "Temptation of St. Anthony," - "new perfumes, larger blossoms, pleasures still untasted"; deep philosophical discussions of obscure topics; longing for greatness of bygone days; traveling in exotic places. It is certainly not for weak-minded. But to say that this book is nothing more than people talking about disgusting topics is really looking at it very superficially. I personally feel this book is not any more repulsive than most of Stephen King's cookie-cutter horror novels, with much more food for thought. I'm very happy to see this novel in Kindle edition.

2 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Three words..., July 5, 2009

By 

Martin Cox - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Torture Garden, Complete and Unexpurgated (Kindle Edition)

Blah blah blah. That's it. This book is a bunch of people talking endlessly about justifications for their own behaviors. I drifted for much of it because it is so badly written and so damned boring.

Should you try, yourself: Good luck.