James Campbell

The heyday of Parisian erotica

In the mid-20th century, titles such as Whip Angels, White Thighs, School for Sin and The Wisdom of the Lash joined Lolita and The Naked Lunch on Olympia Press’s list

Anne Desclos, author of The Story of O, published by Olympia Press under the pseudonym Pauline Réage. [Getty Images]

  • Dirty Books: Erotic Fiction and the Avant-Garde in Mid-Century Paris and New York

    Barry Reay and Nina Attwood

    Manchester University Press, pp. 312, £20

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Because you read about Henry Miller

Also by James Campbell

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in