Chilling gothic tales, full of passion and intrigue, from legendary 18th century Parisian aristocrat, the Marquis de Sade "Ghouls and fiends, hapless femmes and dastardly villains, De Sade could weave a good gothic tale" -- The Herald (Glasgow) Notorious for his erotic novels which meant that his name became unmentionable in civilized circles, the Marquis de Sade's fiction delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche and remains as relevant to our society as it was to his own. Thrumming with devious fantasies and dangerous liaisons, these gothic stories lay bare the transgressive desires of his unforgettable characters. As good behaviour gives way to wicked impulse, each finely crafted tale reveals an uncomfortable truth about human nature, from a pitch-black social comedy exposing the hypocrisies of the church to a drama-laden deep dive into adultery. Infamous for spending three decades of his life in prison and condemned by Parisian society, the Marquis de Sade's writing provocatively challenges the morality of day, introducing through these stories a lawless locale of vice and freedom. Gothic Tales provides a tantalizing entry point into his fiction, showcasing Sade's gift as both a moralist and a humorist through classic stories including "Eugenie de Franval" and "The Husband Who Plays Priest". Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: outstanding classic storytelling from around the world, in a stylishly original series design. From newly rediscovered gems to fresh translations of the world's greatest authors, this series includes such authors as Stefan Zweig, Hermann Hesse, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa and Gaito Gazdanov.