Book · 2018
The Nun. by Diderot. Translated from the French. ... of 2; Volume 1
Why people recommend it
The Nun by Denis Diderot is an 18th-century epistolary novel that chronicles the harrowing experiences of a young woman forced into a convent against her will. On The Book Review podcast in an episode titled A Class in ‘Dreyer’s English’ released on July 18, 2024, John Williams discussed reading the novel by the famous French philosopher, novelist, art critic, and encyclopedist. Later, on the Conversations with Tyler podcast in an episode titled Ada Palmer on Viking Metaphysics, Contingent Moments, and Censorship released on October 4, 2023, Ada Palmer mentioned Diderot's novel while discussing his exploration of natural versus taboo sexuality in the eighteenth century, noting that the author famously spent time in the Bastille for writing the provocative work about nuns. Both speakers highlighted the historical and literary significance of the text, emphasizing its daring critique of religious institutions and its bold examination of human liberty and confinement during the Enlightenment period.
Who recommended it
- John Williams Recommended
- Ada Palmer Discussed
John Williams — 1 mention
“I'm reading a novel called the nun from a very long time ago by Deni dito the philosopher novelist art critic maybe most famously encyclopedist”
Ada Palmer — 1 mention
“He of course famously went to the Bastille for writing The Nun, which is a pornographic lesbian novel about nuns.”