Classic Alternatives To Fifty Shades of Grey

By Elena Ognivtseva

Thanks to Penguin Classics, we now know that erotic literature is not only popular today. Their range of surprisingly saucy classics is enough to get us popping into our local libraries and building up a collection of night-time reading!

Forget about Christian Grey and his dungeon of delights: the classics hold such treasures as Stephen Vizinczey’s In Praise of Older Women, D. H. Lawrence’s tale of subversive master-servant affairs Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and who could forget the bawdy and raunchy tales hidden amongst Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales?

If that has your interest piqued, here are top three picks from Penguin’s list of Classic Alternatives to Fifty Shades of Grey.

1. Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, by John Cleland

This saucy novel follows the rise and enlightenment of a prostitute and has been hailed as an important classic that deserves to be on the top shelf. It’s a saucy satire of society, and will pique your philosophical interests as well as your erotic desires. Penguin writes, “The Bishop of London called the work 'an open insult upon Religion and good manners' and James Boswell referred to it as 'a most licentious and inflaming book'.”

2. Philosophy in the Boudoir Or, The Immoral Mentors, by the Marquis de Sade

Sado Masochism gets its name partly from this bad boy, and once you’ve peeked in between the covers, you’ll know why. If you loved 50 Shades of Grey then you’ll put this book on a pedestal. Penguin writes that Christian Grey “will seem like a nice, regular boyfriend after reading the exploits of Sade's reprobates.” We like it.

3. Kama Sutra: A Guide to the Art of Pleasure

As far as classics go, this one takes the cake. You’ve all heard about the Kama Sutra but it’s not as distant as you once thought. You can pick up this Penguin for around £9.99 and have a handy manual to love next to your bed in no time. It covers all aspects of how to kiss, how to increase your virility, and how to best achieve multiple orgasms with minimal effort. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by ancient drawings which just goes to show that this little guide of goodies has been around for some time. Add this treasure to your Christmas stocking and impress your partner with a barrage of new-found knowledge!