78 pages • 2 hours read
Pierre Choderlos de LaclosDangerous Liaisons
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1782A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is an epistolary novel set in pre-revolutionary France, centered on the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont, who use their charm to seduce and ruin others. Their schemes involve seducing the virtuous Présidente de Tourvel and the young Cécile de Volanges, resulting in a complex web of deceit and moral corruption. The book contains sensitive topics, including sexual assaults, death by suicide, and miscarriage.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ Dangerous Liaisons is often hailed for its provocative exploration of manipulation and morality within high society. Praised for its intricate epistolary format and character depth, some readers find the pacing slow and the immoral actions of characters unsettling. Overall, it remains a compelling, thought-provoking classic.
Who Should Read Dangerous Liaisons?
Readers who appreciate intricate plots, psychological manipulation, and themes of power and deceit, similar to those in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, will enjoy Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's Dangerous Liaisons. It's perfect for fans of classic literature and social intrigue.