---
product_id: 21740161
title: "Against Nature (A Rebours) (Penguin Classics)"
price: "€ 27.12"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.be/products/21740161-against-nature-a-rebours-penguin-classics
store_origin: BE
region: Belgium
---

# Against Nature (A Rebours) (Penguin Classics)

**Price:** € 27.12
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Against Nature (A Rebours) (Penguin Classics)
- **How much does it cost?** € 27.12 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.be](https://www.desertcart.be/products/21740161-against-nature-a-rebours-penguin-classics)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

The infamous inspiration for the novel which slowly corrupts Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray is translated by Robert Baldick with an introduction by Patrick McGuinness in Penguin Classics. A wildly original fin-de-siècle novel, Against Nature contains only one character. Des Esseintes is a decadent, ailing aristocrat who retreats to an isolated villa where her indulges his taste for luxury and excess. Veering between nervous excitability and debilitating ennui, he gluts his aesthetic appetites with classical literature and art, exotic jewels (with which he fatally encrusts the shell of his tortoise), rich perfumes and a kaleidoscope of sensual experiences. Against Nature , in the words of the author, exploded 'like a meteorite' and has enjoyed a cult following to this day. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Review: An Internet Rant from 1884 - After reading "Submission" by Michel Houllebecq, where the main character's career revolves around J.K. Huysmans and "The Strange Death of Europe" by Douglas Murray, which mentions the book "Au Rebours" and the author's journey to salvation, I decided I should try reading the book itself. Upon finishing it, I can honestly say I've never really read anything like it in classical literature. For a book about nothing, as many claim, this book has a lot to say about, well, everything. The book focuses on the life, or rather the lack thereof, of Des Esseinties. The main character is an older, somewhat wealthy gentlemen who is so fed up with his meaningless lifestyle that he goes into complete seclusion in the countryside. Hiding from the world in his house at Fontenay, Des Esseinties reflects upon his education, his personal relationships, his expectations and disappointments, and, most of all, his problems with both the Christian religion and the current state of materialistic French society. Des Esseinties spares no one in his disparaging revelries, but through it all is the sense that he is searching or missing something. His isolation, like everything else he's tried, inevitably fails him and his words in the final chapter are full of emotional despair for the things in life he cannot find, nor entirely understand. I went into this book not really knowing what to expect. At its core, it's essentially a very long, albeit detailed and entertaining, whine. For that alone, this book has every reason to fail, and yet I found myself as unexpectedly fascinated by the insights of the main character as the French people did in 1884. Huysmans, through his character, spares no one and nothing from his mockery, finding only solace in his reading of books, mostly in the Latin tongue. The sheer amount of literature and historical figures covered in this book, if only briefly, is somewhat remarkable. Des Esseinties tries to keep himself entertained by French society and, when that fails, he turns to perfumes, artwork, travel and finally literature. All of these things provide him only temporary respite as he searches for a faith in something he can't describe. The overall picture painted is one of an unprincipled society drifting further and further into meaningless drivel to fill the void left behind by religion and community. In a sense, that description doesn't seem that much different from today. I think what I enjoyed the most, however, was reading the letter by Huysman himself twenty year later. As critics from all sides lambasted this book, and him for writing such a wretched thing, one critic stood out to him by simply saying, "After such a book, it only remains for the author to choose between the muzzle of a pistol or the foot of the cross." Huysman made his choice in the end and found what he was searching for at long last. Perhaps true peace can only be found after knowing so much, yet understanding so little and finally being able to ask the right questions. French authors seem to be excellent at creating biting commentary in worlds full of ennui. I got much, much more out of this novel than I was expecting, but I also understand why someone would not like this book. If you're interested in learning more about the disintegration of France, and really Europe as a whole, during this time period, then I would suggest picking this up and giving it a chance.
Review: Magnificent - I know it’s all been said before but Huysman is fantastic beyond words. Make sure to read THE DAMNED following this one. Oh, make sure you read NADYA. Breton and Julia Kristeva refer to this work. That was enough for me.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #63,432 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #236 in Art History (Books) #412 in Classic American Literature #1,049 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 381 Reviews |

## Images

![Against Nature (A Rebours) (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91iIYk1RmYL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Internet Rant from 1884
*by K***Y on July 8, 2017*

After reading "Submission" by Michel Houllebecq, where the main character's career revolves around J.K. Huysmans and "The Strange Death of Europe" by Douglas Murray, which mentions the book "Au Rebours" and the author's journey to salvation, I decided I should try reading the book itself. Upon finishing it, I can honestly say I've never really read anything like it in classical literature. For a book about nothing, as many claim, this book has a lot to say about, well, everything. The book focuses on the life, or rather the lack thereof, of Des Esseinties. The main character is an older, somewhat wealthy gentlemen who is so fed up with his meaningless lifestyle that he goes into complete seclusion in the countryside. Hiding from the world in his house at Fontenay, Des Esseinties reflects upon his education, his personal relationships, his expectations and disappointments, and, most of all, his problems with both the Christian religion and the current state of materialistic French society. Des Esseinties spares no one in his disparaging revelries, but through it all is the sense that he is searching or missing something. His isolation, like everything else he's tried, inevitably fails him and his words in the final chapter are full of emotional despair for the things in life he cannot find, nor entirely understand. I went into this book not really knowing what to expect. At its core, it's essentially a very long, albeit detailed and entertaining, whine. For that alone, this book has every reason to fail, and yet I found myself as unexpectedly fascinated by the insights of the main character as the French people did in 1884. Huysmans, through his character, spares no one and nothing from his mockery, finding only solace in his reading of books, mostly in the Latin tongue. The sheer amount of literature and historical figures covered in this book, if only briefly, is somewhat remarkable. Des Esseinties tries to keep himself entertained by French society and, when that fails, he turns to perfumes, artwork, travel and finally literature. All of these things provide him only temporary respite as he searches for a faith in something he can't describe. The overall picture painted is one of an unprincipled society drifting further and further into meaningless drivel to fill the void left behind by religion and community. In a sense, that description doesn't seem that much different from today. I think what I enjoyed the most, however, was reading the letter by Huysman himself twenty year later. As critics from all sides lambasted this book, and him for writing such a wretched thing, one critic stood out to him by simply saying, "After such a book, it only remains for the author to choose between the muzzle of a pistol or the foot of the cross." Huysman made his choice in the end and found what he was searching for at long last. Perhaps true peace can only be found after knowing so much, yet understanding so little and finally being able to ask the right questions. French authors seem to be excellent at creating biting commentary in worlds full of ennui. I got much, much more out of this novel than I was expecting, but I also understand why someone would not like this book. If you're interested in learning more about the disintegration of France, and really Europe as a whole, during this time period, then I would suggest picking this up and giving it a chance.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Magnificent
*by D***S on June 1, 2026*

I know it’s all been said before but Huysman is fantastic beyond words. Make sure to read THE DAMNED following this one. Oh, make sure you read NADYA. Breton and Julia Kristeva refer to this work. That was enough for me.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ tmilledge
*by T***E on November 29, 2011*

It arrived in a timely manner but had more wear than it had said. While this was disappointing, the book itself is amazing. The best of the decandence era. I reccomend this book to anyone who can appreciate art for the sake of art.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.be/products/21740161-against-nature-a-rebours-penguin-classics](https://www.desertcart.be/products/21740161-against-nature-a-rebours-penguin-classics)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Belgium*
*Store origin: BE*
*Last updated: 2026-09-18*