£5. Book here.

Writers in Britain have often talked and written about sex and lust through humour or allusion. In this talk and book survey, Portico staff will explore some of the more famous (and not so famous) books in the collection that have laughed at sex, like Tom Jones, or been published after a writer has died, like the poet Swinburne’s Lesbia Brandon. Some of these books sit on the edges of erotica, others are considered classic literature. We will explore the fact that people in the past did talk and write about sex - a lot! - just not in the way we might do today.

Please note due to the nature of the books discussed this event is suitable for over 18 year olds only.

Image: Paolo und Francesca, oil on canvas, 1864. Schackgalerie, Munich. WikiCommons