[Victorian erotica 01] • The Nunnery Tales

The Victorians may have attempted to show the world they were upright, strict and full of virtue but much of this thinking has been subverted by their erotic and pornographic writing. The Nunnery Tales; or Cruising Under False Colours was first published in Holland in the1890’s though may have been written sometime before. As ever the story is merely a loosely plotted vehicle for some even looser morals and sexual romping. Again as is quite familiar to readers of Victorian erotica the Church is involved in a most intimate and lascivious way. The story revolves around a Mother and her son who must seek sanctuary until they can be re-united with her husband who has escaped the revolution in France for safety in England. She can find shelter at the Convent of St Clair where her younger sister is the Abbess. Her son suggests accompanying her, but as her daughter. So beautifully attired in dress and petticoats they proceed to the Convent. But the convent is filled with desire and suppression which takes little time to display itself. So the secret that ‘she’ is really a ‘he’ is discovered, and his identity revealed which becomes a very attractive proposition to both the Mother Superior and several of the young ladies in residence. Whether you view what follows as a punishment or a reward, it is by common consent a well regarded erotic book.