This rollicking, bawdy memoir presents the erotic adventures of a Victorian rake, Horby, through the Decadent and Occult underworld of the period over four volumes. Literary, artistic and political figures are press-ganged into the action, much like Frank Harris' notoriously unreliable memoirs of the period. The style seems modelled on George Macdonald Fraser's 'Flashman' books, though Horby goes further into the bushes than Flashy ever did. This is all in the fine tradition of pulp erotica, with enthusiastic scenes of sex and spanking every half-dozen pages. What sets it apart, beside the verve and the quality of the prose, is the context, what would normally be the filler between. The writer is thoroughly knowledgeable about the period, about the esoteric history of occultism, and diverse other matters such as boxing. What's more, he's well able to use this knowledge to amuse and divert his audience, spinning out an outrageous yarn, while they get their breath back for the next romp. Rumor has it that the Black Pearl series is the work of the late Gerald Suster, novelist, occultist and historian. This certainly fits with the erudition and wit on display, and there can be few writers so familiar with both the worlds of the occult and boxiana! Copies of these cheap and cheerful little NEL paperbacks are now changing hands for ridiculous sums. Mine are starting to disintegrate. Perhaps it's time for a deluxe hardcover reissue, with appropriately naughty illustrations? ( )