This richly evocative novel-in-letters tells the story of two Persian noblemen who have left their country - the modern Iran - to journey to Europe in search of wisdom. As they travel, they write home to wives and eunuchs in the harem and to friends in France and elsewhere. Their colourful observations on the culture differences between West and East culture conjure up Eastern sensuality, repression and cruelty in contrast to the freer, more civilized West - but here also unworthy nobles and bishops, frivolous women of fashion and conceited people of all kinds are satirized. Storytellers as well as letter-writers, Montesquieu's Usbek and Rica are disrespectful and witty, but also serious moralists. "Persian Letters" was a succes de scandale in Paris society, and encapsulates the libertarian, critical spirit of the early eighteenth century.

罗大冈，法国文学专家，翻译家。浙江绍兴人。１９３３年毕业于中法大学文学院。１９５３年后，任北京大学文学研究所、中国科学院文学研究所研究员，中国社会科学院外国文学研究所研究员，中国作协第二届理事，中国翻译家协会第一届理事，中国国际文化交流中心理事，中国外国文学学会第一届理事，中国法国文学研究会会长。１９８３年获法国巴黎大学荣誉博士称号。中国民主同盟盟员。是第五、六届全国政协委员。