The Talking Jewels

The Talking Jewels (1748) is an erotic novel by Denis Diderot. Although he is known as a leading radical philosopher of 18th century France, Diderot also pursued a brief career as an anonymous author of controversial works of fiction. The Talking Jewels, his most famous erotic creation, is thought to have been inspired by the life of Madame de Pompadour, the favorite mistress of Louis XV. Bored with his life as Sultan of Congo, Mangogul longs for a distraction. Certain that his mistress Mirzoza has been cheating on him, he seeks the assistance of a powerful genie. With one of his wishes, Mangogul acquires a magic ring that gives him the ability to learn the sexual secrets of any woman he chooses. By rubbing the ring and pointing it toward the genitals, it grants them the power to speak and to reveal in graphic detail the romantic encounters of the past. Much to the embarrassment of these women, the talking jewels are often activated in the company of Mangogul’s illustrious guests, who listen in shock to the secrets of their lustful lives. The Talking Jewels is a masterful erotic tale that plays on the prejudices and traditions of civilized society while humorlessly critiquing the stuffy morals of France’s political, religious, and cultural elite. By portraying Mirzoza in a positive light, Diderot likely earned the respect of Madame de Pompadour, who helped secure funding for his influential and controversial Encyclopédie project. This edition of The Talking Jewels is a classic of French erotic literature reimagined for modern readers.

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