Sade's novel, 120 Days of Sodom, was written during the French Revolution in 1789. The book tells the story of four wealthy men who sequester themselves in a chateau for 120 days in order to engage in every debauchery and perversion imaginable.
Sade wrote this book as a way to explore the darkest depths of human nature. He wanted to show that even the most privileged and wealthy people are capable of committing terrible acts. Sade also wanted to highlight how power can corrupt people and lead them down a path of destruction.
This novel is not for the faint of heart - it is graphic and disturbing. However, it is also a fascinating look into the mind of one of history's most controversial figures.