Against Nature
Against Nature by J.K. Huysmans, published by Viking Pr in December 1969, presents a unique narrative that diverges from traditional nineteenth-century fiction. The novel centers on Des Esseintes, an anti-hero characterized by his hypersensitivity and aestheticism, who seeks refuge from the vulgarities of modern Paris. In his secluded space filled with fine art and literature, he explores themes of cultural decadence and personal indulgence, making this work a notable precursor to modernist literature.
Readers will find that Against Nature serves as a rich exploration of fin-de-siècle cultural influences, drawing on the works of notable figures such as Baudelaire, Moreau, Redon, Mallarme, and Poe. This edition includes substantial annotations designed to enhance comprehension of the text’s allusive nature, providing context for its intricate themes. With 224 pages, this English-language translation invites readers to engage deeply with Huysmans’ complex reflections on art and existence.
Official synopsis Publisher
As Joris-Karl Huysmans predicted in 1884, Against Nature (A rebours) was fated to be a novel like no other. Resisting the models of classic nineteenth-century fiction, it focuses on the attempts of its anti-hero, the hypersensitive neurotic and aesthete Des Esseintes, to escape Paris and the vulgarity of modern life. Holed up in his private museum of high taste, he indulges his pleasure in fine art and literature. A compendium of fin-de-siecle cultural decadence, Against Nature anticipates strains of modernism in its appreciation of Baudelaire, Moreau, Redon, Mallarme, and Poe. This new translation is supplemented by substantial annotation to enhance the understanding of a highly allusive work.
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