This book might just be my new most favourite book of all time. Or at least it will proudly stand next to Anna Karenina (need to re-read that one). Yes, there are many faults in the book, hence my 4.5 and not 5 rating. Mdm de Merteuil is presented as the ultimate evil, the ultimate failing as a woman just because she refused to succumb to what society expected of her. The author presents this as bad, I see it as something incredibly admirable. Of course, how she goes about her intrigues is a bit despicable, though she only fights fire with fire. 

I needed a last one Valmont/Merteuil letter. It can’t end with a “let there be war” declaration, it just can’t! And yet, it did. Their “love” story, because it is one, could have been one, or rather reminds me of a divorced couple that cannot get back together but will do anything to prevent the other from keeping any sort of happiness. Their pride and need for one-upping each other becomes their downfall. A masterful recreation of the greek tragedy, the ending I did not see coming at all. 

For book written in the 1780s or so, there is a surprising lack of self-consciousness about all sorts of sexualities. I am aware that this was meant as a “show of the disgusting behaviour of the aristocracy”, I pointedly ignore this interpretation. I loved it, the fluidity of it, the innuendos. Just another example that writing does not need to be explicit to create tension.

What I could do without was the last few letters. It tied all loose ends quite nicely, yes, but as I said, give me some last letters from Valmont/Merteuil from beyond the grave.