The novel follows four wealthy libertines—a duke, a bishop, a judge, and a banker—who sequester themselves in a remote castle with 28 victims. Over four months, they subject these captives to increasingly violent "passions" inspired by the stories of four aging prostitutes.
: Classic works like those of the Marquis de Sade often enter the public domain. "120 Days of Sodom" was written before 1923 (in this case, 1785), which generally places it in the public domain in many jurisdictions, including the United States. However, specific translations or editions might still be under copyright.
While extremely graphic, modern scholars often view the work as a systematic (though disturbing) exploration of human psychopathology and the "pornography of power". Introduction of "Sadism":
: There are several online libraries and websites that offer free access to public domain books. Some reputable sources include:
