An Erotic Beyond: Sade

by Octavio Paz

Through an early poem-written just after he became acquainted with the work of the Marquis de Sade-and two later essays, Nobel Prize laureate Paz “admirably questions and explores the meaning of a figure who will not leave us alone” (Kirkus Reviews). Written with Paz’s usual authority blended with irreverence, this book is as provocative as its subject. Translated by Eliot Weinberger.

Genres: Poetry, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Classics, Essays

84 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Octavio Paz Lozano was a Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat, and the winner of the 1982 Neustadt International Prize for Literature and the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature ("for impassioned writing with wide horizons, characterized by sensuous intelligence and humanistic integrity.")

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep end of the pool here - metaphysical questions that seek to answer the deepest desires that are hidden by men when they become part of 'civilization' - not for everyone. Be sure you look up the work of the Marquis de Sade before you read this book; it will really help contextualize this very unique work.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I really give a book about the Marquis de Sade five stars? Yes I did. I'll probably even read it again.

I am now obliged to hunt down everything Octavio Paz has written. His writing is phenomenal. His essay on de Sade was both intellectually stimulating and beautiful.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nice (and quick) read. Weighing in at a mere 84 small (3" x 5" sheets) pages, these essays are filled with ideas that scour the nooks and crannies of desire in a rich, poetic language.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

erotic analysis of de sade takes the preconcived notion of him being evil out of the equation.

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little book filled with insights. Paz is a great poet and brings a poetic insight to his philosophy. Highly recommended for students of D.A.F. de Sade.

[Amaranta · Rating 1 out of 5]

querida maestra,
por qué me deja leer ensayos tan aburridos, asquerosos, feos y desagradables como éste?
ojalá algún día encuentre ensayos mejores
la aprecio, a veces
adiós

[Desca Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is no essential difference between eroticism and sexuality: eroticism is socialised sexuality, subject to the necessities of the group, a vital force expropriated by society. Even in its destructive manifestation – orgies, human sacrifices, ritual mutilation, obligatory chastity – eroticism inserts itself in society and affirms its principles and goals. Its complexity- rituals, ceremonies – begin to have social function; what distinguishes a sexual act from an erotic one is that in the former, nature serves the species, while in the latter, human society is served by nature.”

Octavio Paz is brilliant! That is the first word crossing my mind when I read this book. He analyses a controversial subject whose people might never think which are #erotica and #sexuality . Paz breaks down his analysis into several chapters and firstly based his arguments in the first chapter by analysing the difference between erotica and sexuality. Paz argues that that sexuality comes naturally meanwhile eroticism is the social construction of sexuality itself. It comes from one’s mind and is put into a manifestation such as orgies and other forms of sexual activities. He later circulates his arguments around Marquis de Sade as his centre for eroticism and sexuality. Definitely a book worth reading for.

REVIEW https://literatureisliving.wordpress....

[Daniel J. Quinchía · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se alcanza a vislumbrar en OP una fascinación reluctante hacia Sade, una admiración profunda hacia un hombre que le causa un cierto grado de repulsión. Trata el erótismo con pinzas, de manera profundamente existencial pero sin untarse mucho las manos, OP se pone por encima de Sade y de cualquier concepto expuesto, de su vida y de su alma no hay nada por aquí, es un mero expectador de las rarezas humanas.

No es lo mejor de OP, seguro. Además, conviene leer a Sade antes, pues esta es basicamente la review de OP sobre obra de Sade jaja.

[Eric Cartier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1961 essay is particularly illuminating, exactly what I was seeking from a deep thinker after I finished Juliette. Having read Paz on Duchamp and now Sade, I'm eager to read more of his work, either essays or poems.

[Jeff Mccurry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting introduction to a thinker who makes Nietzsche look tame. Paz lays out how de Sade tried to go completely beyond any commitment to morality and reverence for life and what the world of pure license and death might look like.

[Lance Grabmiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poem from the 1940s and two essays (1961 and 1986) and eroticism and De Sade.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book contains 3 meditations on Sade: one poem and two essays. Some of Paz's ideas recur in each section. Ultimately, the lesson here is that Sade can teach us about humanity and human sexuality (or human eroticism, if you accept Paz's distinction between the two). At times I found it a little rambly, but this is the only book by this author I have read. I suspect that fans of Paz might find more here since they are familiar with the author's voice. Still, there is a lot here to enjoy. This short little book is a bit like Carter's The Sadeian Woman. Paz tends more toward philosophy than Carter's literary and anthropoligical reflections, but both make cases for Sade's importance as a reader of humanity. I suppose this means I should finally read something actually written by de Sade now, but like Foucault, de Beauvoir, and many others, de Sade is more often read about than read these days. Perhaps someone should write a book about that too!