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Teleny (1893) is an erotic novel published anonymously, yet often attributed to Irish playwright Oscar Wilde. Considered one of the first works of fiction to openly depict homosexuality, Teleny is the story of Camille Des Grieux's sexual awakening, the obstacles he faces from society as a gay man, and the passionate moments shared between lovers from all walks of life. "As I listened to his playing I was spell-bound; yet I could hardly tell whether it was with the composition, the execution, or the player himself. At the same time the strangest visions began to float before my eyes. First I saw the Alhambra in all the luxuriant loveliness of its Moorish masonry-those sumptuous symphonies of stones and bricks-so like the flourishes of those quaint Gipsy melodies. Then a smouldering unknown fire began to kindle itself within my breast." At a concert with his mother, Camille Des Grieux finds himself fiercely attracted to the young man on stage, the brilliant Hungarian pianist Teleny. As their eyes meet for the first time, Camille knows they are meant to be together. Despite the restrictions placed on gay men, despite the stories he has heard of Teleny as an unfaithful lover, Camille introduces himself. Filled with heated scenes of romance between its insatiable cast of characters, Teleny is an erotic novel that continues to entertain, shock, and surprise over a century after it was published. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Teleny is a classic work of Victorian erotica reimagined for modern readers.
About the author
The author of The Mabinogion is unknown, as the stories were passed down through Welsh oral tradition before being recorded in medieval manuscripts. They were later preserved in the White Book of Rhydderch and the Red Book of Hergest, two 14th-century texts. Though the scribes remain unnamed, their work safeguarded Wales's rich mythological heritage.These tales draw from ancient Celtic mythology, heroic sagas, and supernatural folklore. They reflect the cultural and political landscape of early Wales, blending history with legend. While the original storytellers are lost to time, their influence endures.In the 19th century, Lady Charlotte Guest translated and popularized The Mabinogion, introducing it to a wider English-speaking audience. Her work helped establish the text as a foundational piece of medieval literature and revived interest in Welsh mythology. Thanks to her efforts and the nameless scribes before her, The Mabinogion continues to captivate readers and scholars alike, preserving the voice of a lost era.
Summary
Teleny (1893) is an erotic novel published anonymously, yet often attributed to Irish playwright Oscar Wilde. Considered one of the first works of fiction to openly depict homosexuality, Teleny is the story of Camille Des Grieux’s sexual awakening, the obstacles he faces from society as a gay man, and the passionate moments shared between lovers from all walks of life. “As I listened to his playing I was spell-bound; yet I could hardly tell whether it was with the composition, the execution, or the player himself. At the same time the strangest visions began to float before my eyes. First I saw the Alhambra in all the luxuriant loveliness of its Moorish masonry—those sumptuous symphonies of stones and bricks—so like the flourishes of those quaint Gipsy melodies. Then a smouldering unknown fire began to kindle itself within my breast.” At a concert with his mother, Camille Des Grieux finds himself fiercely attracted to the young man on stage, the brilliant Hungarian pianist Teleny. As their eyes meet for the first time, Camille knows they are meant to be together. Despite the restrictions placed on gay men, despite the stories he has heard of Teleny as an unfaithful lover, Camille introduces himself. Filled with heated scenes of romance between its insatiable cast of characters, Teleny is an erotic novel that continues to entertain, shock, and surprise over a century after it was published. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Teleny is a classic work of Victorian erotica reimagined for modern readers.
