5 Erotic Classics for Valentine's Day

2. Fanny Hill by John Cleland

Themes explored include:

• Prostitution
• Heterosexual and homosexual relations
• Polyarmous relations
• Loss of virginity
• Voyuerism

Considered to be one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history and the first modern erotic novel, Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure by John Cleland was published in 1748. It is written as a collection of letters by the main character, Fanny, explaining her life of vice. From the tragic death of her parents at 15 to her induction into prostitution to falling in love then back to prostitution, we learn every sordid detail of her vast experiences. The long time frame in which the story takes places allows for lots of different types of sexual relationships to be explored. The author clearly enjoy writing about large penises so you have that to look forward too.

He lay on the outside, where he kept the candles burning, no doubt for the satisfaction of every sense, for as soon as he had kissed me, he rolled down the bed clothes, and seemed transported with the view of all my person at full length, which he covered with a profusion of kisses, sparing no part of me. Then, being on his knees between my thighs, he drew up his shirt, and bared all his hairy thighs, and stiff staring truncheon, red top, and rooted into a thicket of curls, which covered his belly to the novel, and gave it the air of a flesh brush; and soon I feel it joining close to mine, when he had drove the nail up to the head, and left no partition but the intermediate hair on both sides. I had it now, I felt it now, and, beginning to drive, he soon gave nature such a powerful summons down to her favourite quarters, that she could no longer refuse repairing thither; all my animals spirits then rushed mechanically to that center of attraction, and presently, inly warmed, and stirred as I was beyond bearing, I lost all restraint, and yielding to the force of the emotion, gave down, as mere woman, those effusions of pleasure, which, in the strictness of still faithful love, I could have wished to have kept in. Yet oh! what an immense difference did I feel between this impression of a pleasure merely animal, and struck out of the collision of the sexes, by a passive bodily effect, from that sweet fury, that rage of active delight which crowns the enjoyments of a mutual love passion, where two hearts, tenderly and truly united, club to exalt the joy, and give it a spirit and soul that bids defiance to that end which mere momentary desires generally terminate in, when they die of a surfeit of satisfaction!

3. Story of O by Pauline Réage

Themes explored include:

• BDSM
• Male Dom, fem sub
• Erotic Servitude and Slavery
• Erotic Punishment
• M/F, F/F

This erotic classic by Anne Desclos, under the pseudonym Pauline Reage, was written in response to her lovers remark that no woman was capable of writing an erotic novel.  Well, she sure proved him wrong in writing what would become a must read for every Kink 101 student. The book became a massive success when it was published in 1954 and the highly graphic content fueled controversy and brought obscenity charges from the French government. The Story of O charts the willing sexual slavery of a young Parisian photographer, O. She submits herself to harsh and total immersion into the education of submission for her lover, Rene. We follow her experiences from an elite club for her first sexual trainings to her tutelage under an older master and then her experiences at a female only home where she delves into the deepest elements of her submission. O's journey is extreme and not for the faint of heart, but her story is an intriguing look into compete and total submission.

"Her lover, seated on the floor leaning against the ottoman over which she had been thrown at the beginning of the evening, with his knees raised and his elbows on his knees, was toying with the leather whip. As she took her first step to join the women, her skirt grazed him. He raised his head and smiled, calling her by her name, and he too stood up. Softly her caressed her hair, smoothed her eyebrows with the tip of his finger, and softly kissed her on the lips. In a loud voice, he told her that he loved her. O, trembling, was terrified to notice that she answered "I love you," and that it was true... Very softly this time he repeated to her that he loved her, and very softly added: "You're going to kneel down, cress me, and kiss me," and he pushed her away ... "

 4. Venus in Furs by Leopold von

Sacher-Masoch

Themes explored include:

• BDSM
• Fem Dom, male sub
• Erotic Servitude and Slavery
• Fetish: furs, whips

The term Sado-Masochism originated from the authors last name so you know he knows he means business. This novella focus on one man's unadulterated love and obsession for one woman, Wanda. He convinces her to take him as her slave. While initially repulsed by the idea, over time she finds that she derives pleasure from it,  treating him to more and more abuse. So enraptured with Wanda is he, that he takes on a new name and the role of her servant. Themes of female domination, obsession, and degradation are explored throughout the text.

"No," she exclaimed, "stay as you are, kneeling." She went over to the fire-place, took the whip from the mantle-piece, and, watching me with a smile, let it hiss through the air; then she slowly rolled up the sleeve of her fur-jacket. "Marvellous woman!" I exclaimed."Yes, in all seriousness, I want to be your slave," I continued. "I want your power over me to be sanctified by law; I want my life to be in your hands, I want nothing that could protect or save me from you. Oh, what a voluptuous joy when once I feel myself entirely dependent upon your absolute will, your whim, at your beck and call. And then what happiness, when at some time you deign to be gracious, and the slave may kiss the lips which mean life and death to him." I knelt down, and leaned my burning forehead against her knee.

 5. Lady Chatterly's Lover by D.H. Lawerence

Themes explored include:

What erotic novels tickle your fancy? Will you be doing some sensual reading this Valentine's Day?

  Jillian is an avid pole dance student, accessories and costume designer, rhinestone aficionado, and a PDBloggers Executive Committee MemberP. She also writes at PoleGeek.blogspot.com.

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