Adult.

Charles Carrington published this book from Paris in 1897. Though English, he was operating out of France to evade restrictive laws in his home country about this sort of book. He died in a Paris suburb, insane, in 1922.

The author is anonymous, quite an usual tactic with Victorian erotica. We may suspect he lived in London, given the great familiarity he shows for the city in this novel.

The book traces the lovemaking through 10 women of a young music student. He eventually marries one and promises never to look at another woman (cough cough). His wide experience and the fact he never names 2 of the women ("the fishmonger's daughter") says something about this hero.

The book has been called "erotic realism," suggesting it has some basis in fact. This seems likely.

Would you make the final choice he did? I wouldn't. Emma could have filled my bed. I think this guy went second best.

"Loves" is a significant departure from "Flossie" and "School Life in Paris," the first two books in the Authentic Victorian Erotica series.

1. The author tries for humor. The narrator wakes the house when he trips over a plant stand, trying quietly to get into a lady's room. He pretends to be the Devil to scare off a wife beater.

2. It is straight sex, without the female bisexuality that was a large part of "Flossie" and "School."

3. "Loves" is is R-rated (the first 2 rated a X).

4. Here are folks who work for a living, the middle class people.

The spelling is left unaltered. Chapters have been added and paragraphing modernized.

Do you know what a negus is? 27 notes tell you about that and other things which might be a little arcane to the modern reader. Links to Wikipedia are included for e-readers that support that technology. This 2d edition adds modern illustrations.

Have a great time with "Loves of a Musical Student."

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