The libertine novel

Marine Ganofsky

doi:10.1017/9781108683920.016

The libertine novel

Marine Ganofsky

French

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter offers a definition of the libertine novel as the erotic fiction of the Age the Enlightenment. Not only do libertine novels embody the intellectual audacity of the period through their transgressive and free-thinking characters; they also join efforts by scientists and philosophes to unveil the secret workings of the human machine whilst imagining a society fit for it. This chapter contends that this erotic and enlightened fiction represents a crucial element in the history of both literature and ideas, since it epitomises the moment when the Western world first stepped into modernity, challenging old ideals and idols, and redefining pleasure as any individual’s inalienable and natural right.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Cambridge History of the Novel in French
Editors	Adam Watt
Place of Publication	Cambridge
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Chapter	12
Pages	220 - 236
Number of pages	17
ISBN (Electronic)	9781108683920
ISBN (Print)	9781108497077
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108683920.016
Publication status	Published - Feb 2021

Keywords

Libertinage
Enlightenment
History of sexuality
Erotic literature
Pornography
Materialism
Empiricism
Laclos
Sade
Crebillon

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10.1017/9781108683920.016

Ganofsky-2021-The-libertine-novel-Ch12
Copyright © 2021 Cambridge University Press. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the final published version of the work, which was originally published at https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108683920.016.
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Marine Ganofsky
- mg216st-andrews.acuk
- French - Lecturer
- School of Modern Languages
Person: Academic

Cite this

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The libertine novel

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Marine Ganofsky

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