When i have waded through one of these books its insipid descriptions and. Labas by huysmans joriskarl huysmans french paperback. Joriskarl huysmans shocking novel of an innocents descent into a world of depraved. Huysmans states that naturalism rejects every highminded thought, that it is concerned only with appetites. Indeed, that labas opens with a chapter dedicated to the merits or otherwise of naturalism is telling, for it is as much, if not more so, a book about art and literature as it is about satanism. After all, theres no progression toward a resolution. The damned labas was written in the year 1891 by joriskarl huysmans. Huysmans somehow managed to find the path to the later.
This novel 1891 is variously translated as down there or lower depths. This character is thought to be a semiautobiographical depiction of the author and is used in his next three books which chart durtals and. Buy labas by joris karl huysmans online at alibris. This book is published by booklassic which brings young readers closer to classic literature globally. A few fastmoving scenes where durtal is imagining pieces of rais life as hes writing save the book from utter despair, but ultimately, the fact that labas is huysmans bestknown novel these days is a disservice to the man. Huysmans this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. The damned labas by joris karl huysmans book cover, description, publication history. Published by dedalus books complete and unexpurgated text.
Huysmans, labas dover, 1891 ah, huysmans, the author who pioneered the novel of two people spending a whole chapter talking about things that have absolutely nothing to do. A journey into the self published by dedalus books complete and unexpurgated text. Durtal is bored and disgusted by the vulgarity of everyday. One can only imagine his reaction to the vulgar, brutal, and fatuous present. Huysmans translated by keene wallis read 10 apr 1977 this is a 1891 book, written before its author, in july 1892, became reconciled to the church. Literally translated as down there, labas is here used by huysmans in its other sense. A web site that aims to provide uptodate and reliable information about the life and work of the french novelist joriskarl huysmans. Email to friends share on facebook opens in a new window or tab share on twitter. May 01, 2003 born in paris in 1848 and acknowledged as a principal architect of the findesiecle imagination, joriskarl huysmans was a career civil servant who wrote ten novels, most notably a rebours 1884 and labas 1891. This penguin classics edition is translated with an introduction and notes by terry hale. Download the ebook the damned labas joriskarl huysmans in pdf or epub format and read it directly on your mobile phone, computer or any device.
Labas this work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. In this book he struggles desperately to find a foothold in the catholic faith. Translated with an introduction, notes and select bibliography by brendan king. A study in satanism by huysmans, joriskarlwallis, keene translatorbaldick, robert introduction. It is the first of huysmans books to feature the character durtal, a thinly disguised portrait of the author himself, who would go on to be the. This book is one of the most popular novels of joriskarl huysmans, and has been translated into several other languages around the world. But this was not a straight path first there was labas.
This work is in the public domain in the united states of america, and possibly other nations. The second book by huysmans concerning the religious development of the novelist durtal, who in the first book labas experienced depravity and satanism. Huysmans and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Original published 1891, english translation privately published 1928. Labas, translated as down there or the damned, is a novel by the french writer joriskarl huysmans, first published in 1891. Not only does it contain an introduction that puts huysmans in context for those who are new to his work, it also includes extensive notes to unlock the mass of obscure. Labas english down therewith its explicit account of child sexmurders. The damned labas penguin classics huysmans, joriskarl, hale, teresa on.
You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. Huysmans is best remembered for his 1884 decadent novel a rebours. Joriskarl huysmans shocking novel of an innocents descent into a world of depraved, blasphemous rituals, the damned labas caused a scandal when it was first published in nineteenthcentury france. Joriskarl huysmans 1848 1907, translated by keene wallis the plot of labas concerns the novelist durtal, who is disgusted by the emptiness and vulgarity of the modern world. Published in 1891, labas is huysmans bestselling novel. Joriskarl huysmans books list of books by author joris. Labas deals with the subject of satanism in contemporary france, and the. The damned labas by joris karl huysmans fantastic fiction. Dec 10, 2004 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
It is the first of huysmans books to feature the character durtal, a thinly disguised portrait of the author himself, who would go on to be the protagonist of all of huysmans subsequent novels. The plot of labas concerns the novelist durtal, who is disgusted by the emptiness and vulgarity of the modern world. Charles marie georges huysmans was a french novelist who published his works as joriskarl huysmans. He was a career civil servant who wrote ten novels, most notably a rebours. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. It is in this novel that huysmans character, durtal, is introduced for the first time. Translated by keene wallace aka wallis read in english by peter tucker the plot of labas concerns the novelist durtal, who is disgusted by the emptiness and vulgarity of the modern world. Joriskarl huysmans masked was a french novelist and art critic, publishing around 30 novels. Launching the durtal tetralogy, huysmans weaves a mordantly brilliant tale of deception, seduction, and the descent into sadism. Joriskarl huysmans is the pen name of 19th century french novelist and art critic charlesmariegeorges huysmans. Labas joriskarl huysmans audiobook and ebook all you. Labas, translated as down there or the damned, is a novel by the french writer joriskarl. Des esseintes is a decadent, ailing aristocrat who retreats to an isolated.
His early works were in the naturalist school, and he later wrote symbolist and catholic literature, paralleling his own conversion to roman catholicism. His style is remarkable for its idiosyncratic use of the french language, wideranging vocabulary, wealth of detailed and sensuous description, and biting, satirical wit. The books authentic, extraordinarily detailed descriptions of the black mass have. This novel is one of the key texts of the decadent. Labas english down therewith its explicit account of child sexmurders and its detailed description of a black massmay benefit from its transgressive reputation but also suffers from it too.
This novel is one of the key texts of the decadent movement of the 1890s and writhes with. Down there by joriskarl huysmans 2006, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. He is most famous for the novel a rebours against nature. Labas deals with the subject of satanism in contemporary france, and the novel stirred a certain amount of controversy on its first appearance. According to huysmans, the late 19th century was a hotbed of mediocrity and depravity. It is in this novel that huysmans character, durtal, is introduced for the first tim. See all books authored by joriskarl huysmans, including against nature, and labas, and more on.
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