The Dangerous Liaisons

The Dangerous Liaisons or Les Liaisons dangereuses is an epistolary novel written by French novelist, official and general Pierre Ambroise Francois Choderlos de Lachos, published in 1782.

 

The main characters are Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two rivals (and ex-lovers) who use seduction to humiliate people and enjoying their cruel games. The Story illustrated the decadence of French aristocracy shortly before French Revolution. It has also been described as an amoral story.  


The book is composed entirely of letters written by the characters to each other. The letters between Marquise and Valmont drive the plot. It is often regarded as source of phrase “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. However, the phrase didn’t appear in the original novel.