Burton, Captain Sir Richard F. [Translator]

The Perfumed Garden [15th-Century Arab Literature] [Erotic Literature]

Vermont: Park Street Press, 1989.

No Flaws or Blemishes but minimal shelf handling; Still Gift Quality. The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean. Fully Illustrated; 9 by 9.5 inches; 92 pages with double page endpages.

The Perfumed Garden, originally written in the 15th century by Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Nefzawi, explores sensuality through a blend of practical advice and poetic expression. Sir Richard Francis Burton's unexpurgated translation is the most well-known and frequently studied English version of this Arabic erotic literature.

Burton’s translation provides direct access to the original’s explicit content, covering various aspects of sexual relations, including attraction, technique, and health. The text also includes stories, aphorisms, and dream interpretations, offering cultural insights into the Arab world of the time.

Burton’s ornate style reflects 19th-century British literary traditions, with extensive footnotes that offer context, though some have been criticized for being speculative. The translation preserves the original's intent while making it accessible to a Western audience.

The central themes of the text celebrate sensual pleasure and mutual respect in relationships, challenging Western Victorian norms by presenting sexuality as a natural part of human experience. It also serves as a valuable historical document.

Subjects: Sexuality, Arab Culture, 15th-Century Literature, Translation Studies, Historical Erotica, Erotic Literature, Nonfiction, Translation, Cultural Studies

Item #20396
ISBN: 0892814438

Price: $50.00