Aphrodite, Part One

Aphrodite #1

by Pierre Louÿs, Milo Manara (Illustrator), Whittaker Chambers (Translator)

One of literature's erotic masterpieces
Part One (title page) / Book One (cover, colophon) / Vol. I (cover). Artwork by Milo Manara

Aphrodite is a masterpiece of French 19th century literature. This classical tale of sensuous love was one of the best-selling novels of its time. Published in 1896, Aphrodite made Pierre Louÿs famous and was by far his greatest success, surpassing that of his other well-know works such as The Songs of Bilitis. Conceived as a novel of the antiquity focusing on women & on light, Aphrodite lends itself naturally to illustration.

The story takes place in Alexandria in the 1st Century BC where Demetrios, a renowned artist falls in love with a courtesan, Chrysis.

She asks him to prove his love to her by committing three crimes & Demetrios agrees.

For this English edition we have deliberately chosen to use an anonymous translation from 1928 [by Whittaker Chambers], whose delectably quaint language we feel best preserves the picturesque style of Louÿs' original.

Genres: Erotica, Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels

54 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1896

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautiful in many ways, but is disappointing at times. The combination of Louys' text and Manara's art in volume 1 is a sure winner. Originally published in France with the original French text, this English version chooses an anonymous, but wonderful, translation from the 1920's.

Following a long tradition of publishing this work with sensuous illustrations, Humanoids, a French publisher, took a 19th century erotic novel by Pierre Louys and divided it into four hardbound books, each illustrated by a different artist.

This first volume contained 15 full-page watercolors by Milo Manara, an artist better known for his adult comics. Those expecting Manara to have converted Louys' sensual story into a graphic novel may be surprised that this is not the case. Where Manara shines as a comic artist, his watercolors are uneven. While some are outstanding, the painting of the statue of Aphrodite is a disappointment. The illustrated binding and layout is sumptuous.

In Book One Demetrios, a famous sculptor of ancient Alexandria, met and was smitten by Chrysis, a temple prostitute he met. She challenges him to commit three specific crimes to win her love. As he ponders the situation the next day, we see him struggle between his emotions and his reason as he faces his challenging tasks. The overpowering desire is strong and he seeks to understand its hold over him.

In Book Two the illustrator is Georges Bess. He is an excellent choice and his eighteen full-page color illustrations are exceptional at setting the mood for the sensual nature of the text. All are of women in various stages of arousal and done in shades of red and saffron. Unlike Manara's illustrations for Book One most of these do not illustrate particular scenes in the book, but rather illustrate the time period and the costume of ancient Alexandria. The Bess illustrations compliment the text and make this volume of the series a success.

Louys' writing in this English translation from the 1920s captures well the pagan sensuality he wanted to portray. This promised to be a beautiful set with Claire Wendling slated to illustrate volume 3. It is wonderful to see Louys' work getting this lavish treatment. The text is still vibrant enough to take on the sensual artwork of these modern artists.

[Dfordoom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aphrodite is a short novel by the French decadent writer Pierre Louÿs. Set in Alexandria during the first century BC, it tells the story of the courtesan Chrysis and the sculptor Demetrios (who happens to be the lover of the queen, Berenice). Demetrios becomes obsessed with Chrysis, but to win her he must bring her three gifts, and the obtaining of each of these three gifts involves a great crime. Demetrios has another obsession, his statue of Aphrodite, a statue more perfect than any living woman. The tale is a variation on the story of Pygmalion. It deals with themes of art versus reality (with reality coming off second best), and the nature of desire, and what happens when we get what we desire. There’s also the question of perception – our perception of the object of desire changing according to whether our desire has been obtained or not. The novel is also a vivid and highly sensuous representation of the world of the most expensive and exclusive Alexandrian courtesans, a world of immense wealth, sensual indulgence and continuous intrigues, a world of women for whom love is both a profession and an obsession. Their love affairs with men are passionate, and their love affairs with other women are more passionate still.

[carpe librorum :)]

My father told me wanted to name me "Afrodite", luckily my mother didn't let him. For as beautifull as the concept may be, the sound of it is really strange and nobody (that I know of) is called like that. Venus, the homonimous latin name for the godess, is much more appealing to me, but I got "Sofia" instead, wich I begun to like as soon as I found out it means "knowledge" in greek. But only a very few people call me that anyway...

Regarding this particular version of the book, a 19th century french (and fresh) erotic story combined with Marara's artwork can't fail success. I struggle a little bit with the language in this "ancient" english translation, but loved the ambience. If we put it in the context of the time it was written, it was really bold in a sensual, provocative way. It still is, specially Manara's watercolour artwork.

It's the first volume of three, all illustrated by different authors and the only one I read so far, but I will read the others if I have the opportunity.

You may find this book available for free here: http://zizki.com/comics/Milo+Manara/A...

And the original text in french (also free) here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/26685

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is available free through Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/26685

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sure this book is a work of pure literary genius to a lot of people. I don't think my brain has the capacity to see it as that. I felt like I was in school while reading this book.

Don't get me wrong, it's beautifully written. And for Mr. Louys to be writing fiction about such topics as lesbian love, infidelity, and prostitution in the 1930's says a great deal. He took a large step. However, the "thys" and the "doths" among others just got be a bit too much. Call me simple-minded, I'm sorry!

Basically, Aphrodite tells the story of Demetrios, who, normally unphased by beauty, falls head over heels for a gorgeous woman. However, she has a price. Before she will even give Demetrios the time of day, she requires that he bring her three gifts. Demetrios goes through hell to get them, even committing crimes of his own.

Then there are supporters of the story, mainly women, who have fallen in love.

I didn't hate it. I respect it for what it has done. It's just not the book for me.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome image near the end of Aphrodite. This is a well-written book by a little-known author from the late 1800's.

[Shivakukatla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Morcys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know I was into classic erotic stories until I read this one. I don't know if it was due to the setting or Milo's beautiful art. Either way, I enjoyed it.

[Akanksha Agrawal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensual, of beauty and sexual liberty of a woman. It is an exotic tale, revealed masterfully to tingle the delicate thoughts of love and physical beauty.

[sterre (taylor's version)]

ancient smut