Octave Mirbeau Books

Part two of Octave Mirbeau's autobiographical trilogy, ABBE JULES tells of a priest's lifelong struggle with his passions. With the realism of Zola and the decadent vision of D'Aurevilly, and reflecting the impressionism of Monet, Pissaro and Van Gogh, Mirbeau's novel presents us with a small boy's vision of provincial France, where family, education and religion conspire to produce a petit bourgeois tortured by repressed desire, violent fantasies, and forbidden lusts.

A fictionalized account of Honoré de Balzac's death, this work delves into the darker themes of mortality and legacy. Translated into English for the first time by Brian Stableford, it showcases Octave Mirbeau's unique narrative style and complex characterizations. The book offers a profound exploration of the literary world and its giants, providing insight into Balzac's life and the impact of his work on French literature.

The Torture Garden begins as a conventional narrative, a drawing room discussion, the subject however is murderers and their role in society. It then develops into a tale of decadent sensuality before reaching the exquisitely beautiful Chinese Garden, the scene of the most violent and horrific tortures imaginable.

This daring and provocative novel follows the erotic adventures of a young chambermaid named Celestine as she navigates the scandalous world of French high society. Written with a fearless and unapologetic voice, A Chambermaid's Diary is a masterpiece of turn-of-the-century French literature, and a must-read for anyone interested in the complex interplay of sex, power, and identity.

The narrative centers on Father Serge Mouret, a young priest whose idealism is tested by the hypocrisy and ethical corruption of the Catholic Church and the bourgeoisie in the provincial city of Artaud. As he navigates his spiritual journey, themes of sexual repression and the darker aspects of institutionalized religion emerge. Mirbeau's vivid imagery reveals the moral decay hidden beneath the facade of sanctity, offering a provocative critique of religious institutions and societal norms, ultimately challenging traditional morality and the pursuit of virtue.

The book is a facsimile reprint of an original antiquarian work, preserving its historical significance despite potential imperfections like marks and flawed pages. It aims to protect and promote cultural literature by providing an affordable, high-quality edition that remains true to the original.

Die Buchreihe TREDITION CLASSICS bringt bedeutende literarische Werke aus zwei Jahrtausenden zurück in den Buchhandel, viele davon sind vergriffen oder nur antiquarisch erhältlich. Ziel ist es, weltweit 100.000 Klassiker der Weltliteratur in gedruckter Form anzubieten. Die Inhalte stammen überwiegend von gemeinnützigen Literaturprojekten, deren Arbeit durch den Verkauf dieser Bücher finanziell unterstützt wird. Damit wird nicht nur die Literaturgeschichte bewahrt, sondern auch die kulturelle Bildung gefördert.

GOLGOTHA ist ein autobiografischer Roman, in dem Mirbeau die zerstörerische Affäre mit irgendeiner Frau romantisiert. Der Protagonist Jean Mintie, angehender Schriftsteller und von Gedanken an Größe und Schönheit getragen, ist außerstande, seine sexuellen Obsessionen zu überwinden. Von dieser Frau in den Bann gezogen und in einen Zustand depressiver Trägheit versetzt, versucht er, sein Leiden in schöpferische Energie zu wandeln – VERGEBLICH. Seine erlösende Passion folgt dem Vorbild der Leiden Christi. Darin wird das Bild des Erlösers durch die Leichen der im Liebeskampf Gefallenen ersetzt.