La-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Fiction, Classics, Literary, Action & Adventure

Name: La-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Fiction, Classics, Literary, Action & Adventure
Price: 35.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781598181319

✍️ Joris-Karl Huysmans

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$35.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A controversial 1891 novel exploring Satanism through the character Durtal.

This work marks the first appearance of Durtal in Huysmans' bibliography. The narrative follows this protagonist as he investigates Satanic rituals and historical figures like Gilles de Rais. The text blends fiction with rigorous historical inquiry. It reflects the author's own intellectual struggles and interests. The controversy generated by its publication highlights its bold approach to taboo subjects. The story does not shy away from the grim realities of the era it depicts.

Key Themes

Satanism in France Gilles de Rais Durtal character

Literary Context

Published in 1891, this French novel addresses contemporary Satanism and stirred controversy. It stands as a key work in Huysmans' career, preceding his later religious writings. The text reflects the literary and spiritual anxieties of late nineteenth-century Europe.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Bram Stoker · M.R. James · H.P. Lovecraft · Arthur Machen

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Aegypan 📅 2006 📖 240 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781598181319

📝 Description: La-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Fiction, Classics, Literary, Action & Adventure

Joris-Karl Huysmans presents a narrative centered on Satanism in contemporary France through the eyes of Durtal. This character serves as a thinly disguised portrait of the author himself. The story examines occult practices and historical traditions, drawing heavily on the life of Gilles de Rais. Huysmans structures the work by interweaving fictional plotlines with extensive historical research. The text explores the intersection of faith and despair in late nineteenth-century society. The novel stirred controversy upon its first appearance due to its unflinching look at dark subjects. Durtal becomes the protagonist for all of Huysmans' subsequent novels, including En route, La cathédrale, and L'oblat. Readers interested in gothic literature or historical accounts of occultism will find this text compelling. Those seeking light entertainment or straightforward adventure may find the dense thematic exploration challenging. The book offers a glimpse into the intellectual currents of its time without romanticizing the darkness it describes.

💎 Our verdict on La-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans, Fiction, Classics, Literary, Action & Adventure

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Huysmans crafts a narrative that boldly confronts the darkness of late nineteenth-century society through the eyes of Durtal. The work excels in its unflinching examination of occult practices and historical traditions, particularly regarding Gilles de Rais. By interweaving fictional plotlines with extensive research, it creates a dense but rewarding intellectual experience. The text avoids romanticizing the grim realities it depicts, offering instead a stark glimpse into contemporary spiritual despair. While challenging for those seeking easy reading, it is perfectly suited for enthusiasts of Gothic fiction and historical occultism. It provides a vital perspective on the cultural anxieties of its period without succumbing to mere sensationalism.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a strong appetite for Gothic literature and historical accounts of occultism will find this text deeply compelling. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the protagonist Durtal’s investigation into Satanic rituals and the grim realities of figures like Gilles de Rais. The narrative does not shy away from dark subjects, providing an unflinching look at the era's intellectual struggles. Those interested in the dense thematic exploration of faith versus despair will appreciate the rigorous historical inquiry blended with fiction. It is essential for understanding the evolution of horror themes and the author's subsequent bibliography. This book serves those who prefer substantive, thought-provoking content over light entertainment or straightforward adventure.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Huysmans crafts a narrative that boldly confronts the darkness of late nineteenth-century society through the eyes of Durtal. The work excels in its unflinching examination of occult practices and historical traditions, particularly regarding Gilles de Rais. By interweaving fictional plotlines with extensive research, it creates a dense but rewarding intellectual experience. The text avoids romanticizing the grim realities it depicts, offering instead a stark glimpse into contemporary spiritual despair. While challenging for those seeking easy reading, it is perfectly suited for enthusiasts of Gothic fiction and historical occultism. It provides a vital perspective on the cultural anxieties of its period without succumbing to mere sensationalism.