Errant Vice - Paperback

Errant Vice: Jean Lorrain's Masterpiece of Decadent Literature

Errant Vice represents one of the most significant works of the Decadent Movement, now available in English for the first time through Brian Stableford's translation. This blackly comic novel centers on Count Wladimir Noronsoff, the final descendant of a cursed Russian aristocratic lineage, navigating the morally complex landscape of the Côte d'Azur.

A Gothic Tale of Aristocratic Decline

Jean Lorrain crafted arguably his most outrageous work with Errant Vice, blending perversity with quasi-imperial extravagance. The narrative transforms the French Riviera into an arena where Byzantine echoes resound, creating a unique atmosphere that merges historical grandeur with fin de siècle decadence.

Literary Significance and Themes

This novel stands as the climax of Lorrain's literary career, showcasing fascinating moral and artistic complexity. The work balances horror with sadness, humor with tragedy, creating a multi-layered narrative that exemplifies the Decadent Movement's aesthetic principles. Count Noronsoff's journey through the aristocratic social circles of the Côte d'Azur reveals the darker aspects of European high society during the 19th century.

Translation and Accessibility

Brian Stableford's translation makes this essential work of French literature accessible to English-speaking audiences for the first time. The translation preserves Lorrain's distinctive voice while conveying the richness of the original text's perversity and dark comedy.