The Curse of the Marquis de Sade

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This captivating true story explores the notorious novel "120 Days of Sodom" by the Marquis de Sade, an infamous eighteenth-century aristocrat known for his campaign of debauchery in France. Regarded as both a pivotal literary work and a representation of evil, Sade considered this novel his greatest transgression, composed while imprisoned in the Bastille. The tiny scroll containing the text embarked on a remarkable journey across Europe, evading bans and censorship while influencing collectors, researchers, and artists alike. In 2014, the scroll returned to France when Gérard Lhéritier, a savvy businessman, purchased it for millions, shaking up the rare book market. However, this sale unearthed a web of government vendettas, rival booksellers, sabotaged manuscript sales, and allegations of a billion-euro scam, potentially linking the scroll to France's largest Ponzi scheme. Through gripping reporting, the narrative intertwines the odyssey of Sade’s work with Lhéritier's rise and fall, now likened to the Bernie Madoff of France. Central to the tale is a pressing question for literary enthusiasts: as handwriting fades, what is our responsibility toward the original texts that remain?