Down There (La-Bas) (Revised)

Name: Down There (La-Bas) (Revised)
Price: 18.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780486228372

✍️ Joris K Huysmans

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$18.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Huysmans explores Satanism through the life of Gilles de Rais.

This volume features Durtal, who studies Gilles de Rais, a figure known for child murder and necrophilia. The story reflects on Satanism in France during the late nineteenth century. It connects to Huysmans' other works like À rebours and La cathédrale. The text is controversial for its subject matter. It appeals to readers of gothic fiction who enjoy dense, atmospheric prose about historical evil.

Key Themes

Gilles de Rais Satanism in France child murderer

Literary Context

Là-Bas was first published in 1891 by French writer Joris-Karl Huysmans. It stirred controversy on its first appearance. The novel deals with Satanism in contemporary France at that time. It is the first book to feature Durtal, who appears in subsequent works like En route and La cathédrale.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Bram Stoker · Gothic horror enthusiasts

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Dover Publications 📅 2011 📖 287 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780486228372

📝 Description: Down There (La-Bas) (Revised)

Joris-Karl Huysmans presents a narrative centered on Durtal, a writer consumed by the history of Gilles de Rais. This historical figure is described as a child murderer, sadist, necrophile, and practitioner of black arts. The novel examines Satanism in contemporary France, a subject that generated significant controversy upon its initial release. Huysmans uses Durtal, a thinly disguised portrait of himself, as the protagonist. This character appears in all of Huysmans' subsequent novels, including En route, La cathédrale, and L'oblat. The text draws on the life of one of the blackest figures in history to explore dark themes. It does not shy away from the gruesome details associated with Rais. The work is part of a larger body of literature by Huysmans, who is known for À rebours as well. Readers interested in gothic fiction and historical accounts of occult practices will find this volume relevant. Those seeking light entertainment or straightforward historical biographies without literary framing may find it less suitable. This edition from Dover Publications offers the revised text of Là-Bas. It stands as a key work in Huysmans' catalog, bridging his earlier success with later religious-focused writings. The narrative structure follows Durtal's obsession, providing a window into late nineteenth-century French intellectual circles grappling with spiritual darkness.

💎 Our verdict on Down There (La-Bas) (Revised)

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Huysmans delivers a potent exploration of Satanism through the lens of Durtal’s obsession with Gilles de Rais. The text excels in its atmospheric density, capturing the spiritual darkness of its time without resorting to sensationalism. While the subject matter is controversial and the prose demanding, it rewards patient readers with profound insights into historical evil and occult practices. It suits those who favor Gothic fiction and psychological horror over light entertainment. The work stands as a crucial bridge in Huysmans' career, offering a stark, unvarnished look at the blackest figures of history through a sophisticated literary framework that challenges conventional narrative expectations.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers drawn to dense, atmospheric prose and the intersection of history and the occult will find this volume compelling. It offers a unique window into late nineteenth-century French intellectual circles obsessed with spiritual decay. Those interested in Gothic fiction and historical accounts of black arts will appreciate Huysmans' unflinching examination of Gilles de Rais. The narrative provides deep insight into the protagonist's obsession, appealing to those who enjoy complex literary framing over straightforward biography. It is ideal for enthusiasts of psychological horror and dark fantasy who appreciate challenging, evocative writing that does not shy away from gruesome themes.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Huysmans delivers a potent exploration of Satanism through the lens of Durtal’s obsession with Gilles de Rais. The text excels in its atmospheric density, capturing the spiritual darkness of its time without resorting to sensationalism. While the subject matter is controversial and the prose demanding, it rewards patient readers with profound insights into historical evil and occult practices. It suits those who favor Gothic fiction and psychological horror over light entertainment. The work stands as a crucial bridge in Huysmans' career, offering a stark, unvarnished look at the blackest figures of history through a sophisticated literary framework that challenges conventional narrative expectations.