Three Scarlet Library First Editions consisting of: The Way of a Man with a Maid (2001) This novel has long attracted controversy for its graphic depiction of rape, abuse, and incest, and continues to be read today as an important example of popular British erotica of the early twentieth century. Alternating between descriptions of sadomasochistic sex, the narrator’s vindictive interior monologue, and a dark humor woven throughout, The Way of a Man with a Maid provides insight into the sexual fantasies of men from a bygone era. “I, the man, will not take up the time of my readers by detailing the circumstances under which Alice, the maid, roused in me the desire for vengeance which resulted in the way I adopted and which I am about to relate. Suffice it then to say that Alice cruelly and unjustifiably jilted me! In my bitterness of spirit, I swore that if I ever had an opportunity of getting hold of her, I would make her voluptuous person recompense me for my disappointment...” Casting himself as a sworn enemy of womankind, Jack, a jaded English gentleman, roams the streets in search of women to corrupt. As his power grows, increasing his circle of accomplices, he performs more daring—and often more disturbing—sexual acts. This graphic exploration of taboo, torture, and desire remains an important text in the history of erotica and obscenity laws, pushing the boundaries of Edwardian society while continuing to challenge our own. Condition: Good - general handling marks and some wear to the dust jacket. Summer in the Country (2001) A fairly light weight but pleasantly written erotic epistolary novel by the French radical writer and publisher Auguste Poulet-Massis. Written in 1868, it will not offend too many modern sensibilities other than the seduction of younger schoolgirls by an almost equally young schoolmistress and the salacious use of Petronius to illustrate the worst sort of Roman child abuse (though this is in passing). In fact the bulk of the book is about an upper middle class house party riddled with class pretensions and surprisingly little actually happens of a sexual nature for this sort of work. The themes are largely voyeuristic and lesbian but there is a more interesting undercurrent of satire on gender relations seen largely from a rather cynical female point of view that makes it enjoyable. Condition: Good - Dust jacket shows marked signs of wear on front and rear cover otherwise the book is a very clean copy. A Weekend Visit (2002) This is an anonymously written erotic novel about a gentleman who visits his lover at her country home. There they enter into a weekend full of all kinds of sex involving herself and her mother and her young ward gleefully joining the fun as well. Condition: Good - general handling marks to dust jacket, mark to inside of hardcover, a dedication inside (see images) NB. Customs duty may apply in your country.