Against Nature (À Rebours)

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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.