Le Jardin Des Supplices

A novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores the unsettling and philosophical themes surrounding violence and human nature, effectively merging discourse on morality with the concept of murder. The narrative introduces a group of male characters, including moralists, philosophers, and a celebrated writer, who engage in a provocative discussion about the instinct to kill and the societal implications of violence. At the start of the story, a group of friends gathered after dinner engages in a deep and philosophical debate about murder, pondering its role as a fundamental human concern. One member provocatively asserts that murder is intrinsic to civilized society, arguing that legal structures exist largely to regulate humanity's base instincts. As their dialogue progresses, the characters critique societal norms, addressing their own dark impulses and examining how various social constructs—such as war, crime, and legality—contribute to the omnipresence of violence in human life. The opening sets a tone of bleak reflection on the darker aspects of human nature intertwined with the allure of destruction.