Buy new:
-12% $16.59
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$16.59 with 12 percent savings
List Price: $18.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 10 hrs 43 mins
In Stock
$$16.59 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.59
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$14.93
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing. This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing. See less
FREE delivery Thursday, May 16 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$16.59 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$16.59
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Comte De Lautremont
+ Follow
Conte De Lautreamont
+ Follow
See all
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Maldoror: (Les Chants de Maldoror) (New Directions Paperbook) Paperback – January 17, 1965

by Comte de Lautreamont (Author), Guy Wernham (Translator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 50 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$16.59","priceAmount":16.59,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"59","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"vt7NFF09ncBzyDhcBxr427EcpPmJi9lNtdFoSNB%2FfFbS1dgjnXi3JW0CjcilO%2FM86bOSCSxtpO%2BKeWdb62HWkYXnEgRKejjhr26nvaDNmkCKQHX8nfjUR17x77Zy786Iu0tpmzzFBXw%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$14.93","priceAmount":14.93,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"93","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"vt7NFF09ncBzyDhcBxr427EcpPmJi9lNbx40Em0GBPGnVDWya9tREwc1e1eSLsqbSotFnLtuaT2U222iWjOF63QTI8CypeGwZVsyzvAry7%2B3A3IkWrzfq4sDDZiprM9s8igFYY0BbmMbUPOjGYndh0kJOQyisS2nuUtwijGAPdDyeYe2Ch%2BIyRNqadnP%2Bn1a","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

This macabre but beautiful work, Les Chants de Maldoror, has achieved a considerable reputation as one of the earliest and most extraordinary examples of Surrealist writing.

The macabre but beautiful work, Les Chants de Maldoror, has achieved a considerable reputation as one of the earliest and most extraordinary examples of Surrealist writing. It is a long narrative prose poem which celebrates the principle of Evil in an elaborate style and with a passion akin to religious fanaticism. The French poet-critic Georges Hugnet has written of Lautréamont: "He terrifies, stupefies, strikes dumb. He could look squarely at that which others had merely given a passing glance."

Little is known of the author of Maldoror, Isidore Ducasse, self-styled Comte de Lautréamont, except that he was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1846 and died in Paris at the age of twenty-four. When first published in 1868-9, Maldoror went almost unnoticed. But in the nineties the book was rediscovered and hailed as a work of genius by such eminent writers as Huysmans, Léon Bloy, Maeterlinck, and Rémy de Gourmont. Later still, Lautréamont was to be canonized as one of their principal "ancestors" by the Paris Surrealists.

This edition, translated by Guy Wernham, includes also a long introduction to a never-written, or now lost, volume of poetry. Thus, except for a few letters, it gives all the surviving literary work of Lautréamont.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    342 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    New Directions
  4. Publication date
    January 17, 1965
  5. Dimensions
    5.2 x 1 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0811200825
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0811200820
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Maldoror: (Les Chants de Maldoror) (New Directions Paperbook)
$16.59
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Nadja
$13.21
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by BOOK_DEPOT and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I like Lautreamont a lot. He taught me how important and how possible it was to write a sentence that is just gorgeous. Actually, I’m about overdue for a rereading of Maldoror I’d like to pick up a few tricks from that book again."
― William T. Vollmann, The Paris Review

"The expression of a revelation so complete it seems to exceed human potential."
― André Breton

About the Author

Little is known of the author of Maldoror, Isidore Ducasse, self-styled Comte de Lautréamont, except that he was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1846 and died in Paris at the age of twenty-four.

Guy Wernham, perhaps best known for his definitive translation of Maldoror, was associated with the Beat Poets.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Directions (January 17, 1965)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 342 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0811200825
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0811200820
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Conte De Lautreamont

    Conte De Lautreamont

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
  2. Comte De Lautremont

    Comte De Lautremont

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
50 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

E. Bello
5.0 out of 5 stars Glad this version of Maldoror is still available
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great book. Read it in my youth. I lent it out to someone who wouldn't return it.
Very happy to find this version, and have it back in my collection.
Delivered on time.
Helpful
 Report
fester60613
5.0 out of 5 stars The most convoluted writing ever - it is glorious!
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved this. I'm a composer and I'm using it to polish my text - to - music skills. This will fit the bill perfectly. Also, the book is horrifying... in several ways. MUST OWN
Helpful
 Report
Amazon2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Stop reading this and buy it
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
Maldoror was a revelation, and something that I will reread throughout my life. This edition was beautifully organized, easily one of the top books I own. Do yourself a favor and get it.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jesse
3.0 out of 5 stars Would not consider this to be very good quality
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
The book was listed as Very Good quality but came heavily marked with some staining and creases. Otherwise, the package came undamaged and with the correct title as ordered.
Helpful
 Report
Laura Powers
5.0 out of 5 stars Irreverent
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
As a writer, is the most profound book I’ve ever read. Thought provoking, inspiring and completely illustrious. Will make you reconsider your basic sentence structure.
Helpful
 Report
marlene
5.0 out of 5 stars great condition
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2012
Verified Purchase
finally got what i wanted through the mail in great condition! this will be my summer read, i learned about it in my Art History class, and anticipating its suspensful tale.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
cse-amz
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book of Pure Beauty.
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2015
It's been more than 20 years since I last read this great work, but the beauty of this work has never left me. Ducasse uses the greatest and oldest philosophical subject--that of good & evil in mankind--merely as a canvas to create his remarkable prose-poetry.

It's very difficult to even talk about this book due to the many levels of meaning contained within it. Additionally, this book is a collection of "songs"/poems that are each complete within themselves and can be read in any order; the individual prose-poems have enough in common to form a cohesive work, yet each is different enough to make generalizations of the work extremely difficult.

Another intriguing aspect of the work is how Ducasse speaks to the reader both as the author and as his anti-hero, Maldoror, blending the two "voices" in a way that is often disconcerting. I won't go too far into interpreting the book, but what some people seem to miss is that Ducasse uses Maldoror to represent some of the worst character traits of humanity in general. Maldoror is not some isolated evil individual at odds with mankind, but rather a symbolic character image of the intrinsic and often widespread evil that IS mankind!

This book is an intimate portrait of humanity's self-loathing, and yet it's far more than that. The way that Ducasse weaves together disparate ideas and images is extraordinarily beautiful. I see this book as a celebration of life through art, the triumphal beauty of the human imagination over the darkness that has characterized so much of human life and human history.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Richard Armin
5.0 out of 5 stars Evil dressed as Beauty.
Reviewed in Canada on May 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
A precursor to Dada and Surrealism.
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on June 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
pretty crazy stuff man
One person found this helpful
 Report