''The Indiscreet Jewels'' (or ''The Indiscreet Toys'', or ''The Talking Jewels''; french: Les Bijoux indiscrets) is the first novel by

Denis Diderot Denis Diderot (; ; 5 October 171331 July 1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer, best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the ''Encyclopédie'' along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert. He was a promine ...

, published anonymously in 1748. It is an allegory that portrays

Louis XV of France Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (french: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached ...

as Mangogul, Sultan of Congo, who owns a magic ring that makes women's

vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...

s ("jewels") talk. The character of Mirzoza represents Louis XV's mistress

Madame de Pompadour Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour (, ; 29 December 1721 – 15 April 1764), commonly known as Madame de Pompadour, was a member of the French court. She was the official chief mistress of King Louis XV from 1745 to 1751, and rema ...

. Diderot portrayed Pompadour in a flattering light in ''The Indiscreet Jewels'', most likely to ensure her support for his '' Encyclopedie.''

Plot summary

Sultan Mangogul of Congo is bored with life at court and suspects his mistress Mirzoza of infidelity. A genie presents him with a magical ring that has unique properties. When the ring is rubbed and pointed at the vagina of any woman the vagina begins speaking about its amorous experiences, to the confusion and consternation of its owner. The Sultan uses the ring about thirty times, usually at a dinner or other social gathering, and on these occasions the Sultan is typically visible to the woman. However, since the ring has the additional property of making its owner invisible when required, a few of the sexual experiences are recounted through direct observation, as the Sultan makes himself invisible in the unsuspecting woman's boudoir.

Notes

English translations

*''From Their Lips to His Ear.'' Pocket Erotica Series #6 (New Urge Editions/Black Scat Books, , 2020)

References

Links

* Les bijoux indiscrets, tome premier (French
from Google Books
* Les Bijoux Indiscrets: or, The Indiscreet Toys, volume I (English
from Google Books
1748 novels Novels by Denis Diderot French erotic novels 1740s fantasy novels Works published anonymously Vagina and vulva in art 1740s debut novels Allegory {{18thC-erotic-novel-stub