Each book or collection of stories in this volume is prefaced by an informative, scholarly essay on topics ranging from fetishism to hysteria, including historical information revelant to the texts. Disease, murder, necrophilia, incest, decay, obsession, prostitution, occultism, cruel women, corrupted innocence...J.K. Huysmans remarked that the end of every century is the same, and as we watch another century turn these are all still relevant ideas that have the ability to shock and disturb. Although presented here in translation, the lush, ornate language is preserved -- I like that kind of thing, but if you prefer your literature spare and unadorned, the decadents probably seem very ridiculous.
One of the best things about this book is that it could serve as both as introduction to the genre, or a sourcebook for the completist who has read all the classics and wants to dig a little deeper into the dark world of decadence. If you've read Huysmans, Baudelaire, Mirbeau or any of the other writers whose works are usually still in print and want more...this is the book for you. If you've never heard of any of these writers, but the description sounds interesting -- this is the place to start!
In France, a number of writers used the same themes of decay and decadence to comment on the world. In this collection of 12 novellas and short stories, editor Asti Hustvedt collects significant but minor works that illustrate the obsessions of the Fin-de-Siècle. Some of the works are obscure but worthy, and a few are stunning in their craft. Each work is introduced by the translator, with notes and commentary.
In particular, I found two of the works in this volume absolutely compelling. "Monsieur Vènus" written by Rachilde (pseudonym of Marguérite Eymery) is an exploration of sexual reversal, perversion and hints at BDSM. The fact it was written by a woman, one extremely young, is a shocking look into a mind formed with definite and individualistic sexual ideas in youth. The end is shocking.
J-K Huysmans is better-known. The editor includes a minor work of great artist skill "The Haven" explores decadent naturalism. The setting is a country chateau, and the main characters a Parisian couple, who are evading creditors and their peasant relations who offer then the haven at the farm and chateau while they regroup. But the wife is suffering from what is obviously later-stage syphilis and the hearty peasants make a living as parasites off the inept Parisians. While the superficial world is one of cattle, rustic café brawls and mud, the inner world is explored in a series of vivid nightmares, mixing sexual and necrophilic imagery. The internal state of mind of the main character is explored with amazing psychological detail and the end, though mundane and flat, leaves the reader wondering what horrors lie ahead for the hapless couple. The volume is worth having for this work alone.