Pierre Louys 
Aphrodite 

Aphrodite Pierre Louys — On the heels of Bilitis, Pierre Louys published his first novel, Aphrodite in 1896. It was a bestseller, selling 350, 000 copies, sealing Louys’ reputation as a popular author of erotic literature. Set in Ptolemaic Alexandria, Louys’ decadent, sensual vision of Egypt in classical times tells a story of transgressive love. The sculptor Demetrios, the favorite of Queen Berenice, falls for a well-to-do courtesan, Chrysis. Much of the story is set in the world of the courtesans, a realm of beauty, luxury, sapphic indulgence, and some dark shadows as well.

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Pierre Louÿs was a French poet and writer, most renowned for lesbian and classical themes in some of his writings. He is known as a writer who sought to ‘express pagan sensuality with stylistic perfection’. He was made first a Chevalier and then an Officer of the Légion d’honneur for his contributions to French literature.Born in Belgium, in 1870, but moved to France where he would spend the rest of his life. He was a friend of authors André Gide and Oscar Wilde, and of composer Claude Debussy.