Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure – popularly known as Fanny Hill – is an erotic novel by the English novelist John Cleland first published in London in 1748 and 1749. Written while the author was in debtors' prison in London, it is considered "the first original English prose pornography, and the first pornography to use the form of the novel". It is one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history. The book exemplifies the use of euphemism. The text has no swearing or explicit scientific terms for body parts, but uses many literary devices to describe genitalia. For example, the vagina is sometimes referred to as "the nethermouth". A critical edition by Peter Sabor includes a bibliography and explanatory notes.
Adaptations (3)
Fanny Hill has been adapted into 3 films, from 1968 to 1991. The most recent is Paprika (1991).
Fanny Hill1968 · film · 91 min · dir. Mac Ahlberg · IMDb ↗IMDb4.5The classic tale of a young woman's erotic awakening is transplanted to swinging '60s Stockholm...
Fanny Hill1983 · film · 98 min · dir. Gerry O'Hara · IMDb ↗IMDb5.2Happily engaged to her handsome fiance, Charles, Fanny is soon hit with one misfortune after another until she is forced to become a prostitute to survive. This is the story, with many erotic asides, of her struggle to regain her pride in herself and find happiness in life once again.
Paprika1991 · film · 99 min · dir. Tinto Brass · IMDb ↗IMDb5.5In 1957 Trieste, a few months before the general ban on brothels, inexperienced country girl Mimma becomes Paprika to finance her useless boyfriend as a prostitute. Amid the hustle and bustle of Rome, Paprika drifts from one brothel to another as she learns the ropes and works her way up one client at a time. However, as Paprika embarks on a stormy journey of self-discovery and sexual liberation, the sense that something is missing haunts her. Is Paprika meant to experience a passionate romance and solve the great mystery of true love?
