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Erotic Fiction
Browse Erotic Fiction as a public-domain reading list on Rivro, with free classics, authors, subjects, and related books.
Ulysses
James Joyce
Ulysses
"Ulysses" by James Joyce is a modernist novel published in 1922. It chronicles one day in Dublin—June 16, 1904—following three characters whose experiences mirror Homer's Odyssey. Leopold Bloom parallels Odysseus, his wife Molly echoes Penelope, and Stephen Dedalus reflects Telemachus. Through experimental prose styles and stream of consciousness technique, Joyce explores themes of identity, Irish life, and human consciousness. The novel's complexity, literary allusions, and revolutionary approach to depicting thought have made it one of modernism's most celebrated and debated works.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana Translated From the Sanscrit in Seven Parts With Preface, Introduction and Concluding Remarks
Vatsyayana
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana Translated From the Sanscrit in Seven Parts With Preface, Introduction and Concluding Remarks
"The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana" by Vatsyayana is an ancient Sanskrit text composed between the 3rd and 5th century CE. Rather than simply a manual on sexual positions, this Hindu work explores the art of living well, encompassing courtship, emotional fulfillment, maintaining relationships, and the philosophy of desire. Part of the broader Hindu concept of life's proper goals, it addresses when desire sustains happiness and how pleasure fits within a meaningful existence. The text combines terse aphoristic verses with prose, offering guidance on love's nature and the pursuit of satisfaction.
Erotica Romana
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Erotica Romana
"Erotica Romana" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a collection of 24 elegiac poems written during the late 18th century. The work draws inspiration from classical Roman poets such as Tibullus and Catullus, exploring themes of love, desire, and beauty within the scenic backdrop of Rome. The text is characterized by a sensuous and introspective tone, reflecting Goethe's experiences and contemplations during his time in Italy. The poems within "Erotica Romana" present a rich tapestry of romantic exploration, featuring a narrator who navigates both the physical and emotional landscapes of love. The speaker waxes poetic about the charms of his beloved, recounts the pleasures of their clandestine encounters, and contemplates the nature of passion itself. The narrative oscillates between idealization and earthly desire, intertwining mythological references with personal reflection. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Goethe captures the intoxicating essence of love, revealing the complexities of attraction while celebrating the joys of intimate connection.
The Satyricon — Complete
Petronius Arbiter
The Satyricon — Complete
"The Satyricon — Complete" by Petronius Arbiter is a Latin work of fiction believed to have been written in the late 1st century AD. This fragmentary Roman novel follows the narrator Encolpius and his young companion Giton through a series of bizarre, erotic, and darkly comic adventures. Blending prose and verse, the surviving sections depict encounters with eccentric characters, sexual escapades, and the infamous dinner party hosted by the vulgar freedman Trimalchio—offering a vivid glimpse into the decadent underbelly of early Imperial Rome.
中國十大禁書之國色天香
Jingsuo Wu
中國十大禁書之國色天香
"國色天香" by Jingsuo Wu is a work of fiction written during the 16th century. The narrative appears to draw on themes of love and loyalty against the backdrop of familial and societal challenges, focusing on the main characters, Jiang Sheng and Rui Lan, as they navigate the turmoil of their time. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Jiang Sheng, a young scholar with a reputation for his learning and charm, who is faced with personal and political crises. He befriends a fellow named Pu Xingfu amidst escalating tensions that force Jiang to leave his home. As they exchange heartfelt poems, it becomes clear that Jiang is also struggling with the idea of love, particularly in relation to Rui Lan, his sister, as they are both drawn into a web of fate and challenges defined by the chaos of their world. Rui Lan herself, meanwhile, must forge her identity and loyalty amidst the conflict, leading to poignant reflections on love, loss, and resilience as the characters navigate their adversities.
Venus in Furs
Leopold Sacher-Masoch
Venus in Furs
"Venus in Furs" by Ritter von Leopold Sacher-Masoch is a novella published in 1870. The story follows Severin, a man so infatuated with a woman named Wanda that he begs to become her slave and endure increasingly degrading treatment. As their relationship intensifies during travels to Florence, Wanda embraces her dominant role while simultaneously despising Severin's submission. The novella explores themes of power, desire, and gender dynamics, drawing heavily from Sacher-Masoch's own life and inspiring the clinical term for masochism itself.
歡喜冤家
Xihuyuyinzhuren
歡喜冤家
"歡喜冤家" by Xihuyuyinzhuren is a historical fiction novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds around the life of a man named 花林 (Hua Lin) and his tumultuous marriage to 花二娘 (Hua Erniang), as well as the interactions with other characters in a village setting that often lead to entangled relationships and conflicts. Themes of love, infidelity, and the consequences of personal choices are central to the narrative. The opening of the novel introduces readers to the character of Hua Lin, his upbringing, and the misguided decisions that lead to chaos in his life. At the heart of this turmoil is his struggle with vices like gambling and drinking, which alienate him from his responsibilities and family. Simultaneously, the story hints at a brewing scandal involving his wife and another man, 任三 (Ren San), as their secret interactions are explored. This intricate setup lays the groundwork for the dramatic events that will unfold, showcasing how personal flaws and societal pressures can lead to tragic outcomes.
The Decameron, Volume I
Giovanni Boccaccio
The Decameron, Volume I
"The Decameron, Volume I" by Giovanni Boccaccio is a collection of short stories written between 1348 and 1353. Ten young people flee plague-ridden Florence to a countryside villa, where they pass two weeks telling one hundred tales. These stories range from erotic to tragic love, clever wit, practical jokes, and life lessons. The work satirizes the clergy, explores fortune's power, and captures tensions between social classes. Written in vernacular Florentine, it became a masterpiece of early Italian prose and influenced works like Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales."
The Decameron, Volume II
Giovanni Boccaccio
The Decameron, Volume II
"The Decameron, Volume II" by Giovanni Boccaccio is a collection of short stories written between 1348 and 1353. Ten young people flee plague-ridden Florence to shelter in a countryside villa, where they pass time by telling one hundred tales over ten evenings. These stories range from erotic love to tragedy, from clever wit to practical jokes, exploring human nature through tales of lust, ambition, fortune, and folly. The work satirizes medieval society, particularly the clergy, while providing a vivid document of life during the Black Death.
Théologie hindoue. Le Kama soutra.
Vatsyayana
Théologie hindoue. Le Kama soutra.
"Théologie hindoue. Le Kama soutra." by Vātsyāyana is an ancient Sanskrit text composed between 400 BCE and 300 CE. This work explores sexuality, eroticism, and emotional fulfillment within Hindu philosophy's framework of life goals. Far more than a manual on sexual positions, it guides readers through courtship, love's nature, maintaining relationships, social arts, and pleasure as a legitimate pursuit. Written in terse aphoristic verses, the text distills wisdom from earlier manuscripts and presents a philosophy of desire—what triggers it, sustains it, and when it serves human flourishing within a meaningful life.
De Decamerone van Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio
De Decamerone van Boccaccio
"De Decamerone van Boccaccio" by Giovanni Boccaccio is a collection of short stories written between 1348 and 1353. Ten young people flee plague-ridden Florence to a countryside villa, where they pass two weeks telling one hundred tales. Their stories range from erotic to tragic, featuring clever wit, practical jokes, and life lessons. The work explores themes of love, fortune, and human nature while satirizing the clergy and church. Written in Florentine vernacular, it captures medieval Italian life and society during the Black Death.
Römische Elegien
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Römische Elegien
"Römische Elegien" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a cycle of 24 poems written between 1788 and 1790. After returning from his Italian journey, Goethe composed these elegies celebrating sensual love in Rome. The poems follow a speaker's passionate affair with "Faustina," blending erotic experience with classical education. Written in distich form following ancient models, the elegies merge physical desire with artistic inspiration. Due to their explicit content, Goethe initially withheld four poems, publishing only twenty in 1795. The complete cycle appeared uncensored in 1914.
Römische Elegien
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Römische Elegien
"Römische Elegien" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a cycle of 24 poems written between 1788 and 1790. Composed after his return from Italy, these elegies capture the passionate affair between the lyrical narrator and a mysterious woman called "Faustina" in Rome. The poems blend erotic adventure with classical education, as ancient monuments come alive through love's lens. Written in classical elegiac meter, Goethe initially withheld four particularly sensual pieces, publishing only twenty in 1795. The complete cycle celebrates desire, intellectual discovery, and the intoxicating freedom found beyond conventional society.
Aline et Valcour, ou Le Roman Philosophique. Tome 1
marquis de Sade
Aline et Valcour, ou Le Roman Philosophique. Tome 1
"Aline et Valcour, ou Le Roman Philosophique. Tome 1" by marquis de Sade is an epistolary novel written between 1786-1789 while the author was imprisoned in the Bastille. The story follows the virtuous love between Aline and Valcour, opposed by Aline's libertine father. Embedded within their correspondence are adventure tales spanning southern Europe and Africa, contrasting two opposing kingdoms: the brutal, cannibalistic Butua and the utopian island paradise of Tamoé, ruled by the philosopher-king Zamé.
Aline et Valcour, ou Le Roman Philosophique. Tome 2
marquis de Sade
Aline et Valcour, ou Le Roman Philosophique. Tome 2
"Aline et Valcour, ou Le Roman Philosophique. Tome 2" by Marquis de Sade is an epistolary novel written between 1786-1789 and published in 1793. The story follows the virtuous love between Aline and Valcour, opposed by Aline's libertine father. Embedded within are adventure tales spanning southern Europe and Africa, contrasting two kingdoms: the brutal, cannibalistic Butua and the utopian island paradise of Tamoé. This philosophical work blends romance, travel narrative, and political commentary through letters and retrospective accounts.