3 Review(s)

The novel is set in an imaginary Oriental kingdom and tells the story of a young sultan named Mangogul who comes into possession of a magical ring. This ring has the power to make women's "bijoux" (a euphemism for their private parts) speak, revealing their intimate secrets and indiscretions. The plot unfolds as the sultan uses the ring to uncover the hidden truths about the women in his court and beyond, often to their embarrassment.Through these revelations, Diderot explores themes of sexual morality, hypocrisy, and the nature of truth. The novel satirizes the French aristocracy and society of the time, using the fantastical and bawdy premise to critique the superficiality and moral corruption of the elite.