‘Virtue is the sweet flavour of the peach; vice, the tiny droplet of prussic acid – its delicious savour. Life, without either, would be vapid.’

First published in 1893 by an anonymous author (although often attributed to the nineteenth century writer Oscar Wilde), Teleny, or the Reverse of the Medal is a homoerotic novel set in fin de siècle Paris. It is one of the first pornographic works in the English language that focusses almost exclusively on a queer relationship.

Respected for its lush prose style and depth and complexity of characters, Teleny, or the Reverse of the Medal follows the ardent love affair between young Frenchman Camille Des Grieux and Hungarian pianist René Teleny. Overcome with admiration and desire while watching Teleny perform in concert, Des Grieux soon develops a profound fixation on the talented musician. Infatuated by their seemingly telepathic sexual connection, Des Grieux’s feelings only deepen as their relationship progresses. But in a society where homosexuality is callously rejected, the pressure to hide their unspoken bond becomes too much. As tragic as it is titillating, this audiobook edition is movingly narrated by Ben Allen.

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist and poet. He became one of the most popular figures of the London literary scene in the late nineteenth century, and is remembered to this day for his biting wit, flamboyant style and social satire. After being taken to trial for gross indecency in 1895, Wilde was arrested and imprisoned for two years before his eventual exile and death.