Classics – The Erotic Roots of Modern Storytelling
The Classics category goes back to the foundations of erotic literature — where scandal, taboo, and artistic freedom first collided. From Fanny Hill to Justine, from Belle de jour to Daphnis and Chloe, these works are more than historical curiosities. They are laboratories of desire, early experiments in power, body politics, and narrative structure. manther approaches them not as museum pieces but as creative tools: What can modern writers learn from their dramaturgy? Which character archetypes and provocations still resonate today? Classics is where erotic literary history becomes alive — as inspiration, challenge, and craft resource.
Hardly any other erotic novel from the 18th century has achieved such a lasting reputation as Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, better known as Fanny Hill. British author John Cleland wrote the text around 1748/49 – at a time when English literature was morally conservative, but spicy material was also circulating in private reading … Continue reading Fanny Hill – A scandalous novel with staying power
In order to analyze Anne-Marie’s role in Pauline Réage’s novel “The Story of O” within the framework of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, we must first examine Campbell’s concept and the specific dynamics of the novel. Campbell’s hero’s journey, as described in “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” is a narrative archetype that describes a hero’s … Continue reading The dramatic function of Anne-Marie in “The Story of O”
Surrealism, an artistic and literary movement that emerged in 1920s Paris, has a deep connection to the works of the Marquis de Sade. This connection is based on a shared admiration for the unconscious, freedom of the mind, and the challenge of bourgeois morality. Shared ideals and themes Influence on surrealist artists and authors De … Continue reading Surrealism and de Sade: A symbiotic relationship
Marquis de Sade, whose name has given rise to the word “sadism”, has had a profound and complex influence on literature and culture as a whole. His works, especially “The 120 Days of Sodom”, “Justine” or “The Philosophy in the Boudoir”, have not only pushed the boundaries of moral and sexual narrative, but have also … Continue reading The influence of de Sade on literature
The “120 Days of Sodom” by Marquis de Sade is a work that has caused controversy since its creation in the 18th century. This book, written by de Sade during his imprisonment in the Bastille, is a radical testimony of violence, sex and power that challenges the boundaries of human morality and ethics in a … Continue reading “The 120 Days of Sodom” – An analysis of the scandal and censorship
“Belle de jour” tells the story of Séverine Serizy, a young, attractive woman from the Parisian bourgeoisie who is emotionally and sexually unfulfilled in her marriage to the wealthy but unemotional doctor Pierre Serizy. Despite her love for Pierre, Séverine longs for experiences that fulfill her secret and unspoken fantasies. When she hears about an … Continue reading “Belle de jour” by Joseph Kessel (1928)
The book The School of Venus, or the ladies delight (French original: L’École des filles) by Jean Millot and Michel L’Ange is an outstanding work of the early 17th century. Originally published in France in 1655, it is considered one of the first explicitly erotic works of French literature. Histoire de la création et de … Continue reading Jean Millot and Michel L’Ange: “The School of Venus, or the ladies delight”
In ancient Greece, stories of love and initiation were often inextricably linked. One such story that fascinatingly combines these themes is that of Daphnis and Chloe. This tale from the 2nd century AD, written by Longus, transports us into a world of pastoral beauty and youthful innocence. But beneath the surface lies a profound tale … Continue reading Daphnis and Chloe: an initiation in the 2nd century
Justine is an erotic novel written by the Marquis de Sade in 1791. The novel tells the story of a young woman named Justine who is subjected to various forms of sexual abuse and torture. Throughout the novel, Justine is subjected not only to physical abuse, but also to moral and philosophical reflections on the … Continue reading Justine by Marquis de Sade – An Exploration of One of the Most Controversial Erotic Works
As an erotic author, it is important to know and understand the historical roots of the genre and its seminal works. One of the most controversial and groundbreaking works of erotic literature is “History of O” by French author Anne Desclos, who also wrote under the pseudonym Pauline Réage. This novel is so hard-hitting that … Continue reading The fuss about Roissy Castle: How Pauline Réage’s novel kept the police on their toes
