Three by Marquis De Sade: Justine, The 120 Days of Sodom, Florville and Courval

gift for my son

The translation from French to English was done in a very mechanical way and did not account for metaphorical differences between old French and modern English. This made it difficult to understand some passages.

This truly bizarre edition has three books with no separation, table of contents, or title at top of page (only the collection title).It does, however, helpfully request that parents talk to their children about the Marquis de Sade's views on race. Who is buying this for their kids?!?!?!?!

The stories themselves are quite enjoyable though you would be wise to look for them in a different edition. The paperback edition has many typographical errors and places were entire sentences are cut off in the middle and deleted. Very strange. Perhaps an error of the print in demand device. Such a shame.

Despite the extreme depravity portrayed the author is amazingly coy about using everyday terms for actions and body parts. Really disappointed about the quality of the writing and the content.