There seem to be a lot of people who consider the Marquis de Sade as something more than a perv with a penchant for causing pain as per nhis popular image. In fact he's seen as something of a hero in some quarters for his philosophical and literary pursuits (did anyone see Quills?) Have any answerbank users ever read any de Sade and, if so, what's it all about, then?
I once read Justine, and it seems to be about young women being whipped with holly branches.
He did write a play cycle whilst in the assylum though....