
This week we have prepared for you a selection of 10 books on the theme of libertinism, exploring freedom in relationships and sexuality with finesse and subtlety:
1. “The Woman with the Velvet Necklace” by Alexandre Dumas
A charming short story in which Dumas explores themes of desire and mystery, with touches of libertinism in a historical setting.

2. “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras
This novel remains a sensual exploration of self-discovery and forbidden relationships, but it is written with an elegance and restraint that makes it accessible.

3. “Dangerous Liaisons” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Although it dates from the 18th century, this epistolary novel about manipulation and love games remains modern in its themes and its analysis of libertine relationships.

4. “A Summer Without Men” by Siri Hustvedt
This book explores the sexual and emotional awakening of a woman questioning her marriage and her life, with reflections on desire and freedom of choice.

5. “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery
Although this novel does not focus solely on libertinism, it addresses themes of desire and love in different forms, with a touch of philosophy and elegance.

6. “The Waves” by Virginia Woolf
A poetic novel that explores the fluidity of identities and desires, offering a subtle reflection on emotional and sexual freedom in the characters' lives.

7. “In Praise of Love” by Alain Badiou
This philosophical book approaches the question of free love, desire and fidelity from a more conceptual angle, but remains very accessible and enriching.

8. “Tender is the Night” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A novel about unexpressed desires, freedom and complex relationships between characters, in a glamorous but melancholy setting.

9. “A Life of One’s Own” by Laurence Tardieu
This tale of gentle introspection speaks of repressed desires and the search for emotional and sexual independence, addressing the issue of libertinism in a subtle way.

10. “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy
A timeless work that examines the consequences of passionate desires and the quest for freedom in romantic relationships, without falling into excess or provocation.

These books approach libertinism and relational freedom with delicacy, emphasizing human emotions, inner questioning, and a more nuanced exploration of desires.
See you soon for other cultural sharing.