Joris-Karl Huysmans

Joris-Karl Huysmans was a French novelist, born on February 5, 1848, in Paris, and he became a pivotal figure in the literary movement known as naturalism. His early work reflected the influences of authors like Émile Zola, but Huysmans eventually carved out his unique niche, blending realism with a fascination for the decadent and the spiritual. His most famous novel, "À rebours" (Against the Grain), published in 1884, is a profound exploration of aestheticism and the inner life of its protagonist, Des Esseintes, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of art, existence, and individuality.

Throughout his life, Huysmans' writing evolved, moving from naturalism to a more introspective style infused with symbolism and spirituality, particularly evident in his later works. His journey through literature reflects a search for meaning beyond the mundane, making his novels both thought-provoking and richly textured. If you're curious about the nuances of human experience and the interplay between art and life, exploring Huysmans' works in this app is a wonderful place to start. You might find his prose resonates with your own contemplations and inspires further reflection.

Against The Grain, or Against Nature

Read by Martin Geeson


Joris-Karl Huysmans



“THE BOOK THAT DORIAN GRAY LOVED AND THAT INSPIRED OSCAR WILDE”. Such is the enticing epigraph of one early translation of Huysmans’ cult no…

Là-bas

Read by Peter Tucker


Joris-Karl Huysmans



The plot of Là-Bas concerns the novelist Durtal, who is disgusted by the emptiness and vulgarity of the modern world. He seeks relief…

En Route

Read by Peter Tucker


Joris-Karl Huysmans



The second book by Huysmans concerning the religious development of the novelist Durtal, who in the first book ("La-bas") experien…

The Cathedral

Read by Peter Tucker


Joris-Karl Huysmans



It is the third of Huysmans' books to feature the character Durtal, a thinly disguised portrait of the author. He had already featured the c…