Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue

De Sade's novels were considered overly scandalous and frank even by the standards of the frivolous 18th century, and for his views, ideas, and actions, the Marquis often ended up behind bars. It was while imprisoned in the Bastille that he wrote "Justine" — one of his first works and the first novel that was allowed to be published. However, without indicating authorship.
After the death of her parents, devout Justine would have been happy to spend the rest of her life in a convent, but fate has other plans. The poor orphan is forced to leave the sanctuary and finds herself in the very center of debauchery. Everyone around her shamelessly deceives, robs, kills, and indulges in carnal pleasures. The girl takes a position as a maid to the most dissolute woman in all of Paris, ends up in prison, and against her will becomes a member of a gang of ruthless thugs, yet all this time she tries to maintain her virtue and decency. But will Justine be able to remain pious if her very survival seems to depend on the opposite?