The Romance of Lust

the long version

This work presented in two volumes for this edition showcases the amorous adventures of perhaps the most notorious fictional hero of the Victorian underground – the indefatigable Charlie Roberts. The four volumes of The Romance of Lust were first issued between 1873 and 1876. They relate, in an absorbing first person narrative. Charlie’s initiation into the world of love and subterfuge and together they comprise the longest erotic novel in existence. Through the authorship of The Romance of Lust is open to doubt. Henry Spencer Ashbee, the leading Victorian authority on erotic literature, strongly hinted that it was written by his friend William S Potter. Book One contains volumes one and two while Book Two contains volumes three and four of the original work.