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  • The Pure and the Impure by Colette book cover
  • The Pure and the Impure by Colette book cover
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The Pure and the Impure

by Colette

Portraits of desire and identity

$23.90 USD
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AlbakiReads Editorial

Portraits of desire and identity

Through portraits of people in Colette’s circle, including friends and lovers, *The Pure and the Impure* examines varied forms of sexual expression, gender identity, love, and sensual pleasure. Its subject is the sexual worlds of Paris, approached through intimate lives rather than a broad social survey. The book’s biographical and autofictional classification complements this portrait-based focus, placing personal experience alongside questions of sexuality and identity.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in Colette and biographical or autofictional writing.
  • Readers exploring literary treatments of gender identity, sexuality, love, and sensual pleasure.
  • Readers interested in portraits of Parisian social worlds.

Themes

Sexual expressionGender identityLove and sensual pleasurePersonal portraits and social worlds

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Lyrical, allusive, sometimes obscure, yet precise, The Pure and the Impure has elicited equal parts consternation and praise since its publication nearly 100 years ago. Colette herself was unequivocal: "I believe it to be my best book." Through strikingly vivid and evocative portraits, many of them of her friends and lovers, Colette explores varieties of sexual expression, gender identity, love, and sensual pleasure. Decades ahead of its time in contemplating queerness and women's sexuality, The Pure and the Impure provides a fascinating window into the sexual demimondes of the Parisian Belle

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