Publisher's Synopsis
Against the Grain: A Rebours is a novel written by French author J.K. Huysmans, first published in 1884. The novel follows the life of the protagonist, Jean des Esseintes, a wealthy and eccentric aristocrat who retreats from society to pursue a life of aestheticism and decadence. Des Esseintes is disillusioned with the modern world and seeks to create his own ideal world, filled with art, literature, and exotic pleasures. He spends his days indulging in his passions, such as collecting rare books, designing his own perfumes, and creating his own private garden. However, as time passes, Des Esseintes begins to realize that his pursuit of pleasure and beauty is ultimately empty and unsatisfying. Against the Grain is a groundbreaking work of literature that explores themes of isolation, decadence, and the search for meaning in a world that seems increasingly empty and meaningless.1922. Introduction by Havelock Ellis. Huysmans, French novelist of Dutch ancestry, he was marked as a typical decadent. Against the Grain is part of a spiritual biography. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
