En Route

by J.-K. Huysmans

Overview

This is the first new translation of En Route since C. Kegan Paul’s expurgated original of 1895, which censored or completely cut sections dealing with Durtal’s sexual obsessions. Restoring these cuts serves to heighten the drama surrounding Durtal’s existential crisis, and gives the novel a perspective that has hitherto been lacking for English-speaking readers. En Route was J.-K. Huysmans’ first novel after his conversion to Catholicism and effectively opens a trilogy of novels detailing the spiritual journey of his alter-ego protagonist, Durtal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781915568304
Publisher:	Dedalus Ebooks
Publication date:	06/01/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	379
File size:	930 KB

About the Author

J.-K. Huysmans (1847-1907) changed from being an obscure author and art critic to one of the most famous authors of his day with the publication of A Rebours (Against Nature) in 1884. A Rebours is a ground-breaking novel which captures the decadent spirit of the day and marks his final break with Zola and naturalism. Dedalus have published 12 books by J.-K. Huysmans, in new translations by Brendan King; Marthe, Parisian Sketches, The Vatard Sisters, Stranded (En Rade), Drifting, Against Nature, Las Bas, Modern Art, Certain Artists,En Route, The Cathedral and The Oblate.

Editorial Reviews

"En Route is interesting in many ways. It is unique among the other books of Huysmans in style no less than in spirit. Here he has wholly put aside the studied bareness and hardness of expression that characterize his earlier method, and the descriptive passages glow with color and abound in strange felicities of expression..." -The Bookman, 1896

"En Route continues the story of Durtal, a modern anti-hero; solitary, agonized and alienated. Robbed of religion and plunged into decadence by the pressures of modern life, Durtal discovers a new road to Rome. Art, architecture and music light his way back to God." -David Blow

From the Publisher