The 120 Days of Sodom: Part One Summary

Part one of the novel covers the story of Madame Duclos. She is molested by monks as a young girl and eventually follows her sister into service in a brothel, eventually rising to take over the brothel herself. Her life in prostitution has provided her with examples of all manner of sexual practices, which she relates to the friends over the course of 30 days. She is interrupted regularly by the friends, who, aroused by her descriptions, try whatever practice she is describing with the slaves they have at their disposal. In between sessions, they engage in a multitude of sexual activities, feasting, and orgies, all of which are carefully described by Sade, noting all of the individuals taking place. From time to time during the storytelling, the friends take some of the captives...