Catfishing: Deception, Desire, and Literary Tension in Erotic Writing

The term catfishing originates from the digital age: someone creates a false identity—usually online—to deceive, manipulate, or gain emotional (or financial) advantages. But the phenomenon itself is far from new. Long before social media and dating apps, people used fake identities to exert power, stir longing, or reinvent themselves. In literature, the motif of identity deception appears again and again, especially where desire, power, and the depths of the human psyche are at play.

Literary Examples of Catfishing

1. „Belle de Jour“ (Joseph Kessel, 1928)

The protagonist Séverine leads a double life: by day, she is the dutiful wife of a surgeon; by night, she works under the pseudonym „Belle de Jour“ in a brothel. Here, she deceives not only those around her but also herself—escaping into a role that allows her to live out forbidden fantasies. The deception becomes both liberation and trap.

2. „The Talented Mr. Ripley“ (Patricia Highsmith, 1955)

Tom Ripley impersonates a friend of the wealthy Dickie Greenleaf to infiltrate—and ultimately take over—his life. Highsmith shows how identity becomes a mask concealing dark abysses. Ripley’s catfishing is not a game but a deadly calculation.

3. „Lolita“ (Vladimir Nabokov, 1955)

Humbert Humbert invents an entire world of deception to manipulate young Dolores Haze. His false identity as a „proud father“ and „cultured European“ serves to conceal his reprehensible desires.

4. „The Avignon Quintet“ (Lawrence Durrell, 1974–1985)

In „Monsieur“ (part of the series), catfishing becomes an erotic strategy: a woman stages herself as an innocent virgin to seduce a man—only to unmask and humiliate him in the end.

Catfishing as a Dramatic Tool: How Deception Creates Tension

Catfishing is a powerful tool for writers to build tension, ambiguity, and psychological depth. Here are some ways to use the motif dramatically:

1. The Slow Build-Up of Deception

Mystery and Hinting: The reader senses early on that something is off, but the truth is revealed only gradually. Example: A character receives mysterious messages from a „stranger“ who seems to know them perfectly.
Unreliable Narrators: Use the perspective of the deceptive character to mislead the reader. What is reality, what is performance?

2. The Power of Projection

Catfishing thrives on people seeing what they want to see. A character falls in love with an illusion—and the reader wonders: Why? What does this say about their own desires?
Example: A lonely protagonist corresponds with a „perfect“ lover—only all photos and stories are fabricated. The tension arises from the question: Will they notice? And what happens if they do?

3. The Unmasking as a Climax

The moment the deception is exposed can be a dramatic turning point. Does the deceived character get angry? Relieved? Or do they spiral into a deeper crisis?
Example: In „Gone Girl“ (Gillian Flynn), Amy Dunne stages her own abduction—the revelation of her lies is a shock that upends the entire plot.

4. Catfishing as a Metaphor

Deception can stand for self-deception: A character lies not only to others but also to themselves.
Example: In „American Psycho“ (Bret Easton Ellis), Patrick Bateman’s perfect facade is a form of catfishing—he plays a role behind which emptiness lurks.

5. Eroticism and Danger

In erotic literature, catfishing can make the forbidden more alluring. The uncertainty („Who is really behind this mask?“) heightens attraction.
Example: An anonymous online acquaintance turns out to be someone from the character’s real life—with unexpected consequences.

Catfishing in Erotic Literature: Why It Works So Well

In erotic literature, the focus is often on power, control, and the transgression of boundaries. Catfishing offers unique opportunities:

1. The Eroticism of Uncertainty

Who is the other person, really? The uncertainty can intensify desire—or turn into paranoia.
Example: A character becomes entangled in an online game with a stranger who seems to know their deepest fantasies. Are they a soulmate—or a dangerous stalker?

2. Role-Playing and Escaping Identity

Catfishing allows characters to live out hidden sides of themselves. A shy person becomes a dominant seducer; a bore transforms into a mysterious lover.
Example: In „The Piano Teacher“ (Elfriede Jelinek), the protagonist uses anonymous letters to express her repressed desires.

3. Taboo and Impunity

Behind a false identity, characters can do or say things they would never dare to in real life. This creates space for explicit, transgressive eroticism.
Example: A married woman chats with a stranger—and discovers she can only truly let go in anonymity.

4. The Dark Side of Desire

Catfishing can show how desire and deception are intertwined. What happens when someone falls in love not with the person they think they love—but with a projection?
Example: In „The Reader“ (Bernhard Schlink), the relationship between Hanna and Michael is built on a fundamental deception—with tragic consequences.

5. The Question of Authenticity

Erotic literature often asks: What is real? Catfishing radicalizes this question. Is love possible if it’s built on a lie?
Example: Two characters fall in love online—but when they meet, both have lied. Does this lead to a breakup—or an even deeper connection?

Catfishing is more than just a modern scam—it’s an ancient literary motif that works perfectly in erotic stories. It allows writers to play with identity, power, and desire, build tension, and seduce readers—just like the characters in the story.

Try it out:

Have a character assume a false identity—and watch them get lost in it.
Use uncertainty to hook the reader: Who is lying? Who is being deceived? And who might even enjoy it?
Experiment with perspectives: Show the deception from the victim’s, the perpetrator’s, or an unsuspecting third party’s point of view.

Because in the end, catfishing isn’t just about lies. It’s about what happens when we stop recognizing ourselves.

What do you think? Have you ever read—or written—a story with catfishing elements? Share your experiences in the comments!