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Erotic literature comprises fictional and factual
stories and accounts of human sexual relationships which
have the power to or are intended to arouse the reader
sexually. Such erotica takes the form of novels, short
stories, poetry, true-life memoirs, and sex manuals. A
common feature of the genre are transgressive sexual
fantasies on such themes as prostitution, orgies,
homosexuality, sado-masochism, cross-dressing, incest
and many other taboo subjects and fetishes, which may or
may not be expressed in explicit language. Other common
elements are satire and social criticism. Despite
cultural taboos on such material, before the invention
of printing circulation of erotic literature was not
seen as a major problem, as the costs of producing
individual manuscripts limited distribution to a very
small group of readers. The invention of printing, in
the 15th century, brought with it both a greater market
and increasing restrictions, which took the form of
censorship and legal restraints on publication on
grounds of obscenity. Because of this, much of the
production of this type of material became clandestine.
Much erotic literature features erotic art, illustrating
the text.
Erotic Literature - Early periods
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