The Pleasures of Cruelty
The Pleasures of Cruelty; being a sequel to the reading of Justine et Juliette by the Marquis de Sade is a Victorian flagellant novel. Published anonymously, its author is possibly General Studholme Hodgson or another member (or members) of the flagellant circle that flourished around Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron Houghton - who is believed to be the author of The Rodiad.
As the title says, the novel is influenced by the Marquis de Sade’s libertine fiction. An extract entitled The Sultan’s Reverie was published in William Lazenby’s underground periodical The Pearl in December 1880 (Number 18). The first complete edition (three volumes in one) seems to have been published, possibly by Lazenby, in 1886. An edition was also published in Paris et London in 1898, probably by Leonard Smithers and Duringe.
Title page of the Birchgrove Press reprint
`1``
A reprint of the novel in paperback is available from Birchgrove Press, ISBN 978-0987095626.
Chat rooms • What links here • Copyright info • Contact information • Category:Root