Of Mistresses, Tigresses and Other Conquests

by Giacomo Casanova

Love can be an art

Casanova was the most notorious lover in history. His memoir describes his amorous encounters in intimate detail, from seducing a nun in an elaborate boudoir, watched by her lover, to frolicking in a bath with a beautiful girl and tricking an eccentric old lady of her jewels.

Genres: Nonfiction, Classics, Biography, Romance, Italy, Philosophy, Memoir

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1789

About the author

A seminary expelled Giovanni Jacopo Casanova de Seingalt, Italian adventurer, who afterward wandered Europe, met luminaries, worked in a variety of occupations, established a legendary reputation for lust, and chronicled his memoirs.

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt, a Venetian, authored book. People regard Histoire de ma vie ( Story of My Life ), his main book, part autobiography, as one most authentic source of the customs and norms of social life during the 18th century.

He, sometimes called the greatest lust of the world, so famously womanized with his synonymous name with the art of seduction.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious, florid, passionless. A very narrow tale in all respects, fortunately I didn't have to endure it for too long.

Silver lining: i. Made a lovely skipping noise when I bounced it off my wall, melodic even. ii. Bloom luscious cover art.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this. Probably what was most interesting was how little he held back: sex positions are described in detail, including oral sex, and we're even treated to a somewhat worrying anecdote about his ejaculation. This was all probably more amusing than sensual, but I did genuinely enjoy Casanova's writing.

What was also interesting was just how much of a romantic he was, and how truly in love he fancied himself to be. He proclaims that he is faithful to a woman who is quite open about having another lover (and the other lover is in on it too... very much so, we soon find out), and seems to get most excited about details I didn't expect, such as how beautiful she looks when she wears her hair as a man (he compares her to both a woman and a man he has known).

The only disappointing part was the fact that this particular edition is, as I knew going in, only small excerpts of Casanova's memoirs. I'm sure I would have enjoyed to read more, or even focus on one particular part of his life (e.g. his romance with the aforementioned woman). I'm not sure how exactly these chapters were chosen, or if there were any better ones (perhaps there weren't) but while I do appreciate the fact that this was really only a taste, as with many of the Penguin Great Loves books, part of me can only wonder if the chapters given were the best ones to choose, as they seem to have little relation to each other. I would have to read the rest to find out.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the playfulness of Casanova's writing, but him jumping from one nun to another was just too abrupt for me and it got a little repetitive.

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This booklet is collection of excerpts from his vast (and unfinished) book of memories. What surprised me the most are his philosophical thoughts about religion, and his attitude towards life (which is of course a rather pragmatic). Quite an interesting, amusing read, but not enough to read the whole (original) book.

[Kit McEvoy Gould · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite sure why I expected anything else from Casanova

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a playerrrrrrrrrr

[Sparrow .]

I must say, I didn't notice any tigresses. And "conquests" seems the wrong word. In fact, Casanova was not a casanova. (That's my pull quote.) He was more a victim than a conqueror -- helplessly in love with... nuns. Casanova had a weakness for gorgeous women in clerical garb. Sample dialogue:

"When M.M. appeared dressed as a nun, I cried out... 'But in your saintly dress you astonish me. Allow me to adore you on the spot, my angel.'

"'I shall don my lay attire at once. I need but fifteen minutes. I do not like myself in these woolens.'

"'Not at all. You shall receive my amorous homage in the clothing you wore when you first kindled it.'"

All this takes place at night, with secret gondolas approaching the convents of 18th century Venice, which adds to the high exoticism. (Often, Casanova travels masked.)

In fact, the title of this book is merely provisional -- as it sounds. Casanova never finished his memoirs, which reached 3600 pages, so these are brief excerpts.

The book begins with philosophy: a chapter entitled "The Freedom of Man." For example:

"Man is free; but not unless he believes he is, for the more power he attributes to Destiny, the more he deprives himself of that power which GOD gave him when he granted him reason."

Yes, in his own kooky way, Casanova was a partisan of the Enlightenment. (And may have also invented existentialism.)

One of the best elements is the weird euphemisms:

"I threw myself at her feet, begging her to yield to my desires at once; but she ordered me to hold my fire until we were in bed.

"'I do not want," she told me laughing, 'to have to worry that your quintessence will fall on the rug. You shall see.'"

What a word -- "quintessence"! I'm going to use that with my wife.

"I have had all four of the temperaments: the phlegmatic in childhood, the sanguine in youth, then the choleric, and lastly the melancholic, which it appears will be my lot to the end."

In his prose (ably translated by Stephen Sartarelli and Sophie Hawkes) and temperament, Casanova effortlessly conveys balance.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excerpts from Casanova's gigantic memoirs (which run to some 3500 pages). Fascinating vignettes of sexual conquest and profound passion, set against beautiful images of 18th century Venetian and Austrian luxury.

[Pink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rollicking rump of fun! Casanova seems to love his women almost as much as he loves himself.

[Maurane Pieters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird obsession with nuns. Unexpected.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

While his name is now synonymous with a serial romantic, I don’t actually care much for his romantic trysts. He traveled a lot and describes vivid details of 18th century life.
His reflections on his hedonism in the first chapter were some of my favourite parts.
I took pleasure in straying, and I lived perpetually in error, with no other consolation than an awareness of doing so.(3)
I have always known myself to be the principal cause of all of the misfortunes that have befallen me. Thus I took pleasure in finding myself able to be my own pupil and compelled to love my teacher. (16)

I also found it funny how besotted he was. He’s not seducing M.M. for the fun of it, he truly thinks he loves her. Did he think that about all his ladies? Keep on dreaming my guy, you’re only fooling yourself.

This is just an excerpt and I am tempted to read the big work, or more excerpts. However, I would want to read about him enjoying swindling fools and making questionable life decisions.
Notes in this book mention masks, disguises and balls, as well as philosophical conversations, and I would be interested in those.

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book number 4 in the Penguin Great Loves Collection. I was intrigued by this one as, like most people, I am familiar with Casanova's reputation, and thought some extracts from his epic Histoire de ma vie (History of my life) would give some more context to his notoriety.

I have to say this was incredibly tedious to read. I dread to think what the full text must be like. What should have been a fascinating account of Casanova's "romantic" encounters was actually a dry and long-winded account of very uninteresting things.

It is possible that this is just a bad choice of extracts so doesn't showcase Casanova's writing well at all. This book gave me an idea of his behaviours and experiences though, and I feel happy enough to leave it there.

[Hanna (lapetiteboleyn) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that this is only a selection from Casanova's memoirs, but it really felt three times as long as it was. Far from being as shocking as it must have been at the time, I found it to be repetitive, self-indulgent, and dull. I wish I'd been able to get more of a character from the man whose name has become synonymous with particularly amorous men, but there's nothing. It's so dry I literally read it before going to sleep. Disappointed doesn't quite cover it.

[jada lee castillo marte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was the shortest I’ve read all year with 110 pages and took me way longer than it should have. I blame that on the fact that it’s just not interesting. It wasn’t impossible to read as the story of him seducing a nun was a good and memorable one but other than that, Casanova lost me for sure. Maybe his other works can make up for this one.

[Renetta Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a snippet of Cassanova's memoirs, interesting reading. Love the use of language and the stories of love and mischief :0)

[Gen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most impressive thing about this novel is that he managed to somehow fit cuckolding and seemingly a nun kink all in the span of 100 pages. Other than that the book was tolerable at best.

[Ashley Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

God this man makes sex sound so dull that I’m now asexual

[Stepheni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 4 chapters 9/10! But that last chapter had me dazed and confused… and slightly uncomfortable 😂

[Frank Hestvik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tiny extract from Casanova's autobiography, a short glimpse of the man whose name has become a synonym for "womanizer." And oh man what a man. At once so very fickle and intensely passionate. Embodies selective altruism to the fullest: would think nothing of risking his life for a girl in distress - as long as he found her pretty. Detests all who are (in his eyes) fools. Will unhesitatingly part a foolish friend with his money (for isn't it better to have a friend teach you this lesson than a stranger?). Will equally unhesitatingly waste it on gambling and sensuous pursuits. Is apparently capable of fucking seven times in a row, and to the point of bleeding - "Have no fear, my angel, [..] the yolk of the last egg is often red."

He feels and loves by burning. He is completely ruled and addicted to these fickle flames, fleeing when they cool, suffering no guilt when leaving friends and lovers to the ashes, following only the burning trail. But he also seems to possess the power of inspiring similar fiery passions in others, so sometimes they happily coincide for a while, and people are naturally drawn to him for this power.

Typical example: he falls in madly in love with a very young girl (who in turn falls madly in love with him). She gets shut up in a convent by her parents. He keeps visiting her, plotting to rescue her, etc. She suffers a hemorrhage from an abortion. Blah blah, but suddenly this girl becomes mere background noise, because meanwhile Casanova has fallen madly in love with another nun (who in turn has fallen madly for him) at the same convent.

And from a conversation with his brother:
"I ruined myself for her; I can no longer return to Venice; I cannot live without her; and you are taking her away from me. What gives you the right to steal her?"
"The right of love, you fool, and the right of the strongest. Which is why she says she is happy with me and cannot imagine leaving me."

The right of love. The right of strongest passion. The book is super short, and features only two main "episodes," really. I kind of want to read more.

[Therese Regina Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of Mistresses, Tigresses and Other Conquests tells the tale of the infamous Giacomo Casanova - as told by the great seducer himself. He narrates his rather delicious and mischievous romps and affairs with many of his lovers. His amorous exploits are legendary, which is why it is a pity that the book leaves you hanging (wanting more). To be fair, it was an enjoyable read, but I would have hoped for a lot more intrigue, something scandalizing - befitting the lusty lothario. I suppose we have to make do with reading in between the lines

[eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to read the full memoir after this small treasure from Penguin. I could just imagine Casanova scribbling his past misadventures and affairs at his old age. Those misadventures included in this small but memorable collection included his affair with a "nun", "nieces" and even old lady that he tricked. And yet I got the sense that he's more than just an ordinary playboy. In short, a very interesting memoir.

[Cali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty self explainatory not only because of the title, but also because of what Casanova has become imortalized for. Very entertaining and risque. I found some parts where Casanova went into detail about his conquests a little shocking, and I can only imagine what the response would have been back in his time. I only wish that there were more stories included in this book!

[Welmoed · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are curious about the life of the legend that is Casanova, read this, just don't blame me if you're dissapointed.
The chapters in this book were quite randomly chosen, it seems, and there was hardly any context about the life of Casanova, so that you have to guess what is going on.
It was interesting to get a glimpse of his life, but otherwise not really worth reading.

[Zanoubia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy how this is all real life and not just fiction.
Really enjoyed the book, had me completely shocked and surprised at every page.
Even though it was slightly confusing the jumping of stories, as the individuals mentioned weren’t clarified in an index or anything. Other than that I thought it was so fun to get a glimpse into his life.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few extracts from Casanova's autobiography. Gives a short but sweet taste of his exploits, some of which were very elaborate! There were also a couple of explanatory notes, which were helpful and helped to connect the story together.

[Joanna Thirkettle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this underwhelming. Casanova purports to be the 'loveable rogue' yet his exploits show him as conceited and calculating. The flow of text is staccato which does no favours for the readability of the book. Perhaps the extract is too short to do Casanova justice?

[Mark Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little snapshot of the memoirs of Casanova. Well, I say that but I havent read the whole Penguin Classic. I expected it to be a bit more graphic than the selections were, but I was let down. But still, the things he wrote for the time were quite astonishing.

[Alina Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casanova is an utterly sexaholic, devious and manipulative but I guess it takes 2 to tango as these women are so immersed in his amorous pursuits.

[Johnny B. Rempit · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sexy read but just 3 stars for me.