THE ILLUSTRATED KAMA SUTRA: ANANGA-RANGA AND PERFUMED

GARDEN (1883) BY CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD BURTON

The classic pillow book filled with poetry, humor, and
bits of Eastern wisdom, not to mention athletic sexual
positions. It was considered obscene by nearly everyone
but was also one of the most famous smut books ever
published.

“Whatever things may be done by one of the lovers to

the other, the same should be returned by the other.”

VENUS IN BOSTON (1849) BY GEORGE THOMPSON

George wrote a number of “real romances” through-
out the 19th century that were like penny dreadfuls. This
was his first and probably the first erotic novel penned in
America. He was a journalist and had a fast-paced and
dark style.

“…her limbs were as soft and comforting as pythons…”

LESBIA BRANDON (WRITTEN IN 1868) BY ALGERNON CHARLES

SWINBURNE
Swinburne’s posthumous erotic novel, richly-illustrated
by Simeon Solomon, was never finished. It is very poetic
and soft by modern standards but was a scandal when it
came out.

“[H]e rioted in the roaring water like a young sea-

beast, sprang at the throat of the waves that threw
him flat, pressed up against their soft fierce bosoms and
fought for their sharp embraces; grappled with them as
lover with lover, flung himself upon them with limbs
. 58 .