Welcome to the forbidden chamber

In the real world, there are limits to what people can say and do, but in the 2D world, anything is allowed, even talking about things like eroticism.

You can tell from a distance when someone is reading erotic literature: they stay close to the classics section, secretly looking toward the shelves forbidden to minors and even to adults who want to protect their reputation.

Eros, the Romans' Cupid, is the God of carnal love, but above all, of desire and pleasure. In a modern, often simplified view, he’s the figure in a diaper, shooting arrows at mortals longing for love. In a broader sense, erotic literature has the same aim: to awaken desire in its readers, delving into the various expressions of passion.

Sensuality, romance, emotion, and physicality are all facets of the same desire inspired by Eros. And though one might question his existence, the sensations portrayed in this genre of literature feel undeniably real. 

In contrast, pornography entertains readers with an elusive, fictional, and often caricatured portrayal of a much more complex process. A well-written erotic novel can enhance our self-awareness and encourage us to explore those hidden chambers we have never allowed ourselves to open.

Adults may feel ashamed of it, while teenagers read in the dark, away from the watchful eyes of their parents. But then, who are these novels really for? Is it appropriate for teenagers to read this kind of literature?

Let me refresh your memory about the After case that occurred nearly ten years ago.

In 2015, Italy was not particularly known for its passionate readers (and that hasn’t changed much). Then came Anna Todd’s After, which made a significant impact. Nowadays, it would be classified under "BookTok," as it all started on Wattpad: a platform where anyone could both write and read without any restrictions. As you can imagine, the writing quality was what it was.

I still recall classmates bringing the book to school, and during breaks, it was all we talked about. Sometimes, during grammar lessons, a dozen copies were opened under the tables, with knowing glances exchanged among those who had already reached the more explicit sections of the story.

I also remember the assembly called by the teachers to discuss the novel, which they deemed inappropriate for inexperienced eyes like ours. I withdraw from it, as I never read the book, even though I heard about the excessively descriptive sex scenes that were completely unrealistic.

From that first book, a whole saga came out, with each new installment building on the success of the last. Today, some label it as a romance novel, while others play it up as young adult erotic novel, but it was clearly not aimed at readers the author’s own age.

Reading After at 13 is a bit like jumping into porn before losing your virginity, hoping to make sense of it. That’s why there are erotic novels tailored to different age groups, each with its own purpose.

A while back, Italian writer, Valeria Parella, came out with an erotic novel, Piccoli miracoli e altri tradimenti, a collection of stories, or “miracles" as she calls them, that open up a space between the human and the divine. The book dives into sensuality, desire, transgression, and the urge to uncover one’s true self.

There’s a maturity in the way these intimate “small miracles” are told, yet a youthful innocence in believing in them.

For younger readers, figuring out what’s appropriate can be tricky. Instead, in movies, there are those green, yellow, and red stickers to guide you, but what about in literature?

Literature tends to play it cool, introducing sensitive themes in a more subtle way.

The most popular children's sagas often carry an erotic quality. Take Twilight, for example. Vampires are mythological creatures that embody ultimate beauty and sensuality, and we see this clearly in Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Edward Cullen.

Bella’s ongoing struggle, torn between the werewolf and the vampire, adds an extra layer of satisfaction and intrigue to the story. It all begins with a classic love triangle, an old but gold narrative device that, for instance, Shakespeare also employed.

Something more savage? Hunger Games. 

The Catching fire has to return to the love of her life to save her sister, which sets the stage for exploring the dual nature of love. When a second guy enters the scene, she ends up pretending to have feelings for him, even though those feelings are real.

This leads to emotional complications that unravel as they all fight for their lives.

At the end of the day an erotic novel is like that spicy secret that everyone wants to spill, but with just the right touch of mystery, allure, and dignity. It’s the kind that makes us blush, smile, and perhaps even indulge in a bit of fantasy.

The debate over what crosses the line into explicitness will never truly be resolved, but what really matters is how at ease we feel with those pages.

Let’s face it: The forbidden always has a stronger appeal.

PS: that's why you clicked on this article. ;)

V