The Perfumed Garden [Paperback]

Captain Sir Richard F. Burton (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1992

The Perfumed Garden - for the Repose of the Mind is a classic work of Arab erotica offering a uniquely entertaining collection of tales, frank and sound advice on sexual relations, and a poetic style of great literary merit. This is a book which delights in the humorous possibilities of sexual expression, and treats these in an urbane style reminiscent of Chaucer and Boccaccio. Also included in the first illustrated edition is a remarkable collection--previously unpublished--of early Mughal and other rare erotic paintings. Reproductions of exquisite tilework and friezes offer a rare glimpse of the Arabian palaces and harems that provide much of the inspiration for the original text. Over 50 full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An explicit, but also consummately witty and graceful celebration of erotica."
(

Libido

)

"The Park Street Press edition is the first illustrated reproduction of Burton's original translation. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it. The Victorians did, even if they claimed they didn't. You won't be disappointed."
(

Ben Trumble, Whole Earth Review

)

About the Author

Sir Richard F. Burton (1821-1890) was one of the greatest traveler-explorers of history, whose life has recently been chronicled both in biography (Captain Sir Richard Burton) and film (Mountains of the Moon).

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892814438
• ISBN-13: 978-0892814435
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nicely illustrated, but very much edited..., July 17, 2000

By 

Agathodaimon (Nowhere & Everywhere - I am a professional nomad.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfumed Garden (Paperback)

My girlfriend and I checked out an older edition of the Perfumed Garden from our local library, and indulged in some "bedtime reading" aloud to each other. What we liked the most about the book was the storytelling element rather than the didactic. We decided we wanted to own a copy, and purchased this one, only to be disappointed. There's a large part of Burton's original translation missing here, mostly missing stories, and of those that remain, the wonderfully corny dialogue is edited out. Don't get this edition if you're looking for the whole enchilada...

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting translation and attractive illustrations., May 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfumed Garden (Paperback)

This is a colorful and pleasant book. The many illustrations are from the period and place of the text. That is India in the distant past. Burton worked from an original French translation, and his work is direct and to the point. In some ways this book reads like a cookbook of sex, and that is a reasonable description of it. It is a nice addition to anyone's library.

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An exotic and graphic look at sex, February 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perfumed Garden (Paperback)

Sir Richard Francis Burton is able to give the arabic text some meaning. This is a very erotic book because of the illustrations. I found mine at a public library- downtown branch- This is a book that celebrates human love and sexuality better than any other I have ever read