Les Liaisons Dangereuses

The Dangerous Liaisons is a book about deception, close relations and revenge, revolving around the lives of a few members of a close community. The book is set in France during the 1760s with the story told in the form of letters exchanged between the characters. 

Main Characters: 

The Marquise de Merteuil:

Self described self- made women who created a reputation for herself after her husband died. Admitted the possibility that she may have loved the Vicomte de Valmont. Strikes a deal with Valmont that is he is able to provide her with written proof that he has seduced Madame de Tourvel then she will sleep with him again. Wishes to corrupt young Cécile Volanges as she is arranged to marry the Come de Gercourt who was Merteuil's previous lover. She becomes Cécile Volanges trusted friend for advice on her relationship with the Chevalier Danceny. Falls in love with Danceny and exposes the Valmont to him. The Valmont leaves behind incriminating letters from Merteuil who is shamed at an opera and cast out of society. Becomes extremely disfigured from smallpox and bankrupt from a lawsuit filed against one of her previous lovers, the Chevalier de Belleroche and flees to Holland. 

The Vicomte de Valmont:
A rich player who prides himself in seducing women, specifically married women. Previously had a relationship with the Intendante. Found closure in the Marquise de Merteuil who became his bed-partner. Wishes to sleep again with the Marquise de Merteuil. Valmont manages to become Chevalier Danceny's trusted friend, heling him exchange letters with Cécile and uses this to convince Cécile that she should give him the key to her room granting him access with which he uses to have his way with her. Eventually is able to seduce Madame de Tourvel and refuses to accept the fact that he has actually fallen in love with her and abruptly ends their relationship, hoping that he will be able to finally be with Merteuil which is not the case as she has found herself loving the Danceny. A war starts between Valmont and Merteuil in which Merteuil exposes Valmont to Danceny who kills him. 

Madame de Tourvel:

The wife of the Présidente de Tourvel and stays with her friend Madame de Rosemonde when her husband is away. Known for her religious devotion and trusts Valmont after he seemingly does good deeds for the poor despite warnings from many people. Turns Valmont away when he begins to pursue and express his love for her saying that they could remain friends. Eventually seduced by Valmont who very soon ends the relationship leaving her with guilt. She flees to the convent and refuses to eat or drink becoming very ill, dying of shame and grief.

Cécile Volanges:

The daughter of Madame Volanges who arranged for her to be taken out of the Covent and married to the Come de Gercourt who is away at war. She finds herself in love with her harp teacher with Chevalier Danceny. Her love for him is discovered by her mother who was given the knowledge from the Marquise de Merteuil and forced to stop talking to him. Pressured by Chevalier she trusts Valmont and exposes herself to his deception. She has a miscarriage with Valmont when she falls of the bed afraid that someone has caught them. After the Valmont has been killed by Danceny she retreats back to the Convent to become a nun. 

The Chevalier Danceny:

Cécile's music teacher who falls in love with her beginning a secret correspondence. Often speaks of his concern that Cécile does not share the same feelings for him sending him into despair. Encouraged by Valmont to pursue Cécile but does not realise that Valmont has not been delivering letters to Cécile. Challenges Valmont to duel when he discovers he has been tricked and wins, releases incriminating letters about Merteuil after and enlists in to his knightly order leaving for Malta. 

Madame Volanges: 

Mother of Cécile Volanges and arranges for her marriage to the Come de Gercourt. When she discovers of the liaisons between her daughter and Danceny she forbids them from communicating with each other. Once she sees that Cécile is so unhappy, she questions whether she made the right choice. Good friends with Madame de Tourvel and warns her of Valmont's bad reputation. 

Setting:

The setting of The Dangerous Liaisons is almost entirely left to the reader to imagine, with close to no description provided apart from location. This however allows for easy transitions between the various characters. The location from which the letter was sent or received is usually marked at the start of each letter but the setting is usually irrelevant which each character making little or no references unless necessary. 

Perspectives:

Almost every character mentioned in the book has their own letter that they send out except for Cécile's first confidante and friend Sophie Carnay from her time at the convent. 

• Cécile in particular likes to refer to herself in her letters addressing her concerns for herself and how she is feeling rather than referencing others and writes in a manner where she seems uncertain and confused seeking help from others to guide her. 
• The Valmont and Merteuil are both very commanding and speak of themselves very highly wishes to persuade other to follow their lead. The Valmont in particular writes very well suited to his situations with Danceny and Madame Tourvel, able to manipulate the both of them. In his letters to Merteuil he does seem more submissive and concerned for their relationship
• Danceny is constantly very self- conscious of how he is received to other people, fully expressing his concerns regarding if Cécile loves him. He seeks the help of Valmont and almost has control of Cécile during the middle of the story persuading her to act against he better judgement.

I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a story to really sink their teeth into. It never fails to raise the tension and provides numerous thrilling changes around every corner. I personally found the first 30 or so letters very difficult to get through as the constant change of characters combined with being thrown straight into the story made it difficult to understand exactly what was going on. This book really thrives on being able to depict society through the eyes of several characters with very different background which has magically combined into a sensational novel in which an ever thickening plot keeps readers engaged. The story really pieces together once the relationship of Cécile and Danceny reaches it climax and all of the relationship that each characters has or had with each other is revealed. Anyone searching for a good book to finish within a few days will become very attached to this masterpiece and explore the wonders that it holds.