First off, the preface said that Marie Antoinette herself had this book in her library, which I find charming. It's gossipy AF which I guess is all the French court had to keep themselves entertained, but its nice to know my girl Marie was reading trash too.
The story centers around two giant asshole nobles who toy with everyone around them for their own fun and games. It's a bit sad to see poor, pure little Tourvel get driven into madness by Valmont and Merteuil's self-centered plots, though I could have done with a few less letters of her changing her mind back and forth about Valmont's credibility. Make up your damn mind, woman. It's so much easier to live your life when religion isn't a factor.
I like that it went into all-out war against the central characters at climax. They turned on each other and got what they deserved and it was satisfying to get that. I guess I have to give credit to people who put so much work into scheming for a bit of "fun", though. I could never find the energy.
Anyway, here's the dress I made, for good measure!
