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.
Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.
With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
About the author
Denis Diderot (1713-1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer of erotic fiction. Born into wealth, he studied philosophy at a Jesuit college before attempting to enter the clergy. In 1734, tiring of religion, he declared his wish to become a professional writer, and was disowned by his father. From this point onward, he lived as a bohemian in Paris, writing anonymous works of erotica, including The Talking Jewels (1748). In 1751, he cofounded the Encyclopédie, a controversial resource on the sciences that drew condemnation from the church and the French government. Despite his relative obscurity and lack of financial success, he was later recognized as a foundational figure in the radicalization of French society prior to the Revolution.More ebooks from the same author(s) / Editor
708,403 Ebooks in this category
