Justine (or The Misfortunes of Virtue) is a classic
erotic novel by Donatien Alphonse François de Sade, better known as the Marquis
de Sade.
Justine is set just before the French Revolution in France and tells
the story of a young woman who goes under the name of Therese. Her story is
recounted to Madame de Lorsagne while defending herself for her crimes, en route
to punishment and death. She explains the series of misfortunes which have led
her to be in her present situation.
— Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.