Against Nature (À Rebours)

The novel centers on Jean des Esseintes, the last heir of a noble family, who retreats from the decadence of 19th-century Parisian society into seclusion. Disgusted with his former life, he seeks solace in a self-created artistic world filled with intellectual and aesthetic pursuits. Through his reflections, he revisits the excesses of his past, illustrating a profound exploration of beauty and decay. Breaking from Naturalism, Huysmans' work significantly contributed to the Symbolist movement, garnering both controversy and acclaim upon its release.