The Indiscreet Jewels

A new 2023 translation of Denis Diderot's most powerful fictional novel, the Indiscreet Jewels (Les Bijoux indiscrets). This fresh edition of a previously unpublished work also contains an afterword by the translator on Diderot's philosophy, a timeline of his life and works, and a glossary of the philosophic topics which recur in his writings.. Diderot's "The Indiscreet Jewels" is a magical-realism novel that tells the story of a magical ring that grants the ability to hear the thoughts and conversations of people during intimate encounters. It has similarities to Voltaire's Philosophical novel Zadig as it is set in an exotic place, but much more vulgar, similar to the works of François Rabelais. This work challenged and censorship, provoking discussions on the freedom of expression and the boundaries of literature. Although the work faced controversy and was condemned by some, it also received praise from intellectuals like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe for its daring and innovative approach to storytelling.