Anonymously published, Le Petit Fils d’Hercule  is a “roman philosophique” – to be understood as “erotic novel”. Though the first edition appeared in 1784, it was antedated to 1701 – perhaps another measure to protect the identity of the writer. The work was well sold and two further editions were published within five years.

The story, similar to other romans philosophiques, is told by a young man: he comes to Paris with the purpose of satisfying his taste for sensuality by selling his charms. He describes his adventures in pornographic detail, as an “encyclopedia of nature”. In contrast to contemporary erotic novels, Le Petit Fils d’Hercule  does not dwell upon the perceived abuses of the church, or on justifying the pursuit of pleasure.

References to classical and contemporary authors (a.o. Ovid, Rousseau, Diderot) constitute a framework to the erotic adventures as a pseudo-scientific discourse. The novel loosely follows the example of XVIIIth  century interrogations on the development of a person, based on his experiences.

The decor is given much literary attention. Characteristic of the libertinage of this century is the “petite maison”, a place of illicit lovemaking. The places visited by the protagonist of Le Petit Fils d’Hercule are generally inconspicuous, often secluded, and sometimes difficult to access. They offer the hero no escape, but contain all necessary ingredients for a perfect enjoyment, like laboratories for the study of sensuality.

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