THE ROMANCE OF LUST Edited/Added and Translated By : M. Meenachi Sundaram PREFACE 1. Introduction to The Romance of Lust: The Romance of Lust is a controversial work of Victorian-era erotic fiction that explores the sexual awakening and adventures of its protagonist. First published anonymously in four volumes between 1873 and 1876, the novel stands as one of the earliest examples of explicit erotic literature, showcasing a narrative that pushed the boundaries of decency in its time. Despite its scandalous content, it remains a significant piece of historical erotica that offers insight into the hidden, often hypocritical attitudes toward sexuality in the 19th century. 2. Themes of Sexual Exploration: At its core, The Romance of Lust revolves around the theme of sexual exploration, where the protagonist's encounters with various partners lead to an ever-widening understanding of carnal pleasure. The novel unabashedly delves into the desires, curiosities, and fantasies that were typically repressed or taboo in Victorian society. This candid portrayal of sexual experimentation reflects a counterpoint to the prudish norms of the era, offering readers a glimpse into a world where passion and indulgence prevail. 3. The Protagonist’s Journey: The central character in The Romance of Lust is a young man who embarks on a journey of sexual discovery from his adolescence into adulthood. The narrative follows his experiences as he learns about his desires and explores the physical aspects of love with various women, and occasionally men, in his life. This journey is depicted with a sense of liberation, as the protagonist revels in the newfound freedom that sexual exploration offers him. 4. Victorian Hypocrisy and Repression: The novel is not just a collection of erotic encounters; it can also be seen as a critique of the hypocrisy and repression of Victorian England. The public morality of the time was rigid, promoting chastity and propriety, while private lives often told a different story. The Romance of Lust exposes the gap between public virtue and private vice, offering a more honest, albeit scandalous, portrayal of the desires that simmered beneath the surface of polite society. 5. The Role of Women in The Romance of Lust: In the novel, women play pivotal roles in the protagonist's sexual development. While the work is often criticized for its objectification of female characters, it also portrays women as active participants in sexual pleasure. The women in the novel are not mere passive recipients but engage in and even initiate sexual activities, which can be seen as subversive for the period. Their autonomy and enjoyment challenge the traditional roles assigned to women in Victorian literature. 6. The Impact of Forbidden Literature: The Romance of Lust belongs to a broader genre of "forbidden literature" that circulated clandestinely during the 19th century. Works like this were often shared privately, passed among readers who sought to explore topics deemed inappropriate by mainstream culture. These novels provided an outlet for the repressed sexual desires of readers, allowing them to engage with fantasies that were otherwise censored in everyday life. 7. The Significance of Pseudonymity: The anonymity of The Romance of Lust's authorship is significant, as it reflects the fear of societal retribution for writing such explicit material. Publishing erotic fiction in the Victorian era could lead to legal consequences and public disgrace. The decision to remain anonymous allowed the author to explore taboo subjects freely, contributing to the novel's raw and unfiltered tone. 8. Literary Style and Language: The language of The Romance of Lust is notable for its explicitness and boldness, especially considering the period in which it was written. Unlike many earlier works of erotic fiction, which often employed euphemisms and indirect language, this novel is remarkably direct in its depictions of sexual acts. The vivid descriptions, though shocking to contemporary audiences, play a significant role in the novel's lasting impact. 9. Psychological Dimensions of Desire: While The Romance of Lust is primarily focused on physical pleasure, it also delves into the psychological aspects of desire. The protagonist’s emotions, fantasies, and internal conflicts are explored throughout the narrative, highlighting the complex interplay between mind and body in the experience of lust. This exploration of the psychological dimensions of sexuality adds depth to the novel’s erotic content. 10. The Taboo Nature of Incest: One of the most controversial aspects of The Romance of Lust is its depiction of incestuous relationships. The novel features several instances where the protagonist engages in sexual activities with members of his family, including his sisters. These scenes were intended to shock and provoke, challenging the boundaries of acceptable discourse on sexuality. While deeply problematic, this element of the novel reflects the willingness of the author to confront even the most forbidden desires. 11. Reception and Controversy: Upon its initial publication, The Romance of Lust was met with a mix of intrigue and condemnation. It circulated in underground circles, as mainstream publishers and critics were appalled by its content. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the novel gained a readership eager for literature that defied conventional moral boundaries. Its scandalous reputation only increased its allure among those who sought to push against the rigid constraints of the time. 12. The Role of Education in Sexual Awakening: Throughout the novel, education plays a key role in the protagonist’s sexual awakening. However, it is not the formal education of school or books that instructs him, but rather the informal education he receives through his sexual experiences. The novel suggests that true knowledge of the self comes through the exploration of bodily desires, presenting a controversial perspective that challenges more traditional views on education. 13. Social Class and Sexual Freedom: The Romance of Lust also touches upon the intersection of social class and sexual freedom. The protagonist, who moves in upper-class circles, enjoys a level of privilege that allows him to explore his desires without the same constraints faced by lower-class individuals. The novel suggests that sexual indulgence is a luxury afforded to the wealthy, who can more easily hide their transgressions and escape the scrutiny of societal norms. 14. The Influence of French Erotica: The novel draws clear inspiration from the tradition of French erotica, which was often more daring and explicit than its English counterparts. French writers such as Marquis de Sade and Pierre Louÿs had already pushed the boundaries of erotic literature, and The Romance of Lust follows in this tradition by offering a similarly unrestrained exploration of desire. This cross-cultural influence contributed to the novel's boldness in its portrayal of taboo subjects. 15. The Role of Power in Sexual Relationships: Power dynamics are central to many of the sexual encounters in The Romance of Lust. The protagonist often holds a position of authority or control over his partners, whether through age, experience, or social standing. These power imbalances reflect broader societal structures in which men dominated sexual relationships, but the novel also subverts this at times by portraying women as empowered participants. 16. Censorship and Literary Legacy: Despite its controversial content, or perhaps because of it, The Romance of Lust has endured as a key text in the history of erotic literature. For decades, the novel was banned or censored, but its legacy persisted through underground circulation. Today, it is studied as a reflection of Victorian sexuality and as an example of the kind of literature that was suppressed but never entirely eradicated. 17. The Influence on Later Erotic Literature: The Romance of Lust paved the way for later works of erotic fiction by breaking taboos and expanding the boundaries of what could be written about sexuality. Authors of the 20th century, such as D.H. Lawrence, Anaïs Nin, and Henry Miller, would further explore the themes of desire, repression, and sexual freedom, following in the footsteps of early erotic writers like the anonymous author of The Romance of Lust. 18. The Moral Quandary: The novel presents a moral quandary for both its characters and its readers. While it celebrates sexual pleasure and freedom, it also confronts issues of consent, power, and ethics. The protagonist’s behavior, particularly in regard to incest and the manipulation of others for his own gratification, raises uncomfortable questions about the limits of personal desire and the consequences of unchecked indulgence. 19. The Psychological Toll of Indulgence: Though the protagonist appears to enjoy boundless pleasure throughout the novel, there are moments when the psychological toll of his indulgence becomes apparent. Guilt, shame, and confusion occasionally surface, suggesting that even in a narrative that glorifies sexual freedom, there are emotional consequences to living without boundaries. This adds a layer of complexity to the otherwise hedonistic storyline. 20. The Relationship Between Body and Mind: In The Romance of Lust, the connection between body and mind is constantly emphasized. The protagonist’s physical experiences are intertwined with his mental and emotional states, and his sexual encounters are depicted as both bodily pleasures and intellectual discoveries. This blurring of the line between physical and mental desire is a key theme in the novel, reflecting the idea that true fulfillment involves both aspects of the self. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE.. 3 A classic Victorian erotic novel 9 VOLUME I 9 CONTENTS. 9 MRS. BENSON TO THE HON. MRS. EGERTON. 59 THE HON. MRS. EGERTON TO MRS. BENSON. 69 VOLUME II 123 CONTENTS. 123 VOLUME III 229 CONTENTS. 229 VOLUME IV.. 345 CONTENTS. 345 ADDENDA.. 444 LETTERS. 444 ABOUT THE AUTHOR.. 461 A classic Victorian erotic novel VOLUME I CONTENTS The Novice—Mrs. Benson—Mary—Mrs. Benson’s Correspondence with Mrs. Egerton—Miss Evelyn—Eliza There were three of us—Mary, Eliza, and myself. I was approaching fifteen, Mary was about a year younger, and Eliza between twelve and thirteen years of age. Mamma treated us all as children, and was blind to the fact that I was no longer what I had been. Although not tall for my age, nor outwardly presenting a manly appearance, my passions were awakening, and the distinctive feature of my sex, although in repose it looked magnificent enough, was very sufficiently developed when under the influence of feminine excitement. As yet, I had absolutely no knowledge of the uses of the different organs of sex. My sisters and I all slept in the same room. They together in one bed, I alone in another. When no one was present, we had often mutually examined the different formations of our sexes. We had discovered that mutual handlings gave a certain amount of pleasing sensation; and, latterly, my eldest sister had discovered that the hooding and unhooding of my doodle, as she called it, instantly caused it to swell up and stiffen as hard as a piece of wood. My feeling of her little pinky slit gave rise in her to nice sensations, but on the slightest attempt to insert even my finger, the pain was too great. We had made so little progress in the attouchements that not the slightest inkling of what could be done in that way dawned upon us. I had begun to develop a slight growth of moss-like curls round the root of my cock; and then, to our surprise, Mary began to show a similar tendency. As yet, Eliza was as bald as her hand, but both were prettily formed, with wonderfully full and fat mounts of Venus. We were perfectly innocent of guile and quite habituated to let each other look at all our naked bodies without the slightest hesitation; and when playing in the garden, if one wanted to relieve the pressure on the bladder, we all squatted down together, and crossed waters, each trying who could piddle fastest. Notwithstanding these symptoms of passion when excited, in a state of calm I might have passed for a boy of ten or eleven.