The Power of Mesmerism / A Highly Erotic Narrative of Voluptuous Facts and Fancies

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28521

Title

The Power of Mesmerism / A Highly Erotic Narrative of Voluptuous Facts and Fancies

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A lurid Victorian erotic tale exploring the dark allure of mesmerism, this narrative follows the Etheridge family as they succumb to incestuous desires and supernatural mind control. Blending gothic atmosphere with explicit sensuality, the story delves into themes of forbidden passion, loss of autonomy, and the corrupting power of unchecked lust within a secluded Devonshire estate.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the opulent Brackley Hall in Devon, 'The Power of Mesmerism' presents a decadent Victorian narrative exploring the erosion of moral restraint through the dangerous art of hypnotism. The story centers on the handsome Mr. Etheridge, his voluptuous wife, and their daughter Ethel, who are joined by their son Frank, a returnee from Germany who has acquired the ability to mesmerize others. Upon his arrival, Frank's powers immediately manifest, allowing him to effortlessly induce a trance state in his sister Ethel. This leads to a series of explicit encounters that blur the boundaries of familial affection, culminating in a tripartite orgy involving Frank, Ethel, and their mother, Mrs. Etheridge. The family's descent into ecstatic, unconscious submission expands to include childhood friend Harry and his aunt Clara, who bring their own histories of sexual experimentation to the household. The narrative oscillates between intense erotic pleasure and psychological manipulation, where characters act without free will under Frank's influence. The plot widens to include increasingly elaborate orgies involving dildos, flogging machines, and the torture of a servant girl, Maud. The tone is one of decadent excess, celebrating 'voluptuous facts and fancies' in a world where social mores are discarded for raw desire. As the story progresses, the line between genuine emotion and mesmeric compulsion becomes indistinguishable. The text serves as both a cautionary tale and a celebration of Victorian anxieties regarding sexuality, hypnosis, and the fragility of moral restraint, culminating in a chaotic finale that leaves the family and guests exhausted but satisfied. The narrative further details the backgrounds of the characters, including Ethel's prior sexual education at a progressive school and Harry's childhood experiences with his aunt Clara, reinforcing the theme of a world where incest and taboo acts are normalized under the guise of mesmeristic necessity.

LLM editorial rating

3.5/5

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data/epubs/pg28521.epub

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Categories

• Erotic Fiction