He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

I have heard numerous people refer to romance novels as pornographic literature—those people have never read literature written by the Marquis de Sade. He was a depraved French Aristocrat who spent much of his life in prison, where he wrote most of his work, and the latter part of his life was spent in an insane asylum. He lived through the era of the French Revolution, spent time in the Bastille, and led a life as illicit as the works he wrote.

I just finished reading Philosophy in the Bedroom for a class on sex in literature and film and I have never been more disturbed. Vice and Virtue are turned on their heads in this story. God is replaced with Nature and Her whims are what rule men’s actions. There is no evil, only virtue is frowned upon and is seen as something that should be destroyed.

Women exist to please men and should do so indiscriminately. Fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, mothers, sisters, all should find pleasure with each other if the desire for such things lies within their breasts. Children should be corrupted. They are never too young to be introduced into a life of debauchery. Murder, infanticide, rape, sexual and physical abuse; these are all deemed acceptable practices.

The sex scenes are graphic, violent and disturbing. As you read his work you can’t help but feel that he truly had a disturbed mind. I can’t say that my life is better for having read de Sade, but I can say that my views on sexuality have slightly altered. I think in reading this book I’ve become even more prudish than before, while at the same time have never thought so much about sex. I am glad to have read the book, if only because by saying I have read it, that means its finished and I never have to read it again.

I like a little more actual romance in my “pornographic literature.” Along with a little more of a story, a little less philosophical discourse and a lot less Vice with more Virtue.