Akbar Del Piombo (1921–1991)

Akbar del Piombo is a psuedonym of Norman Rubington, who wrote many rather outlandish books in the years around 1970. I've known this book since the seventies, and of all of the novels of 'Akbar del Piombo' this, for me, is the masterpiece. The others follow the same rich seam, but somehow don't achieve the freshness of this one. The plot concerns a gentleman's gentleman who happens to bear a very close physical resemblance to Duke Cosimo, who for a variety of reasons prefers to stay out of show more the limelight. He therefore leaves the butler to deal with all of the awkward - and usually powerfully erotic situations that arise. This book deserves recognition as one of the classics of modern erotica. show less

This is a book of its rapidly enlightening times, taking on the task of providing detail on sex aids and less usual sexual practices for a new age. It’s remarkable in being authored by del Piombo, also known as Norman Rubington, and best known for his fascinating and unique style of erotic novel, and such provenance is evident in the mild humour he brings to what could be merely a catalogue of devices. It is richly complemented by a series of case studies describing some of the wilder show more fringes of sex. These case studies are essentially short stories, providing practical detail in the operation of the toys described and also reporting the way their users were affected by them. Here, del Piombo is reminiscent of the ‘case study’ style of Gerda Mundinger, and as with that author, we have no solid foundation for assuming the relation of the stories to real life. show less

Akbar del Piombo was a pseudonym of Norman Rubington, and the works he published in this way have a unique flavour of erotic humour which is at times superb in their debauchery and in the way he sets up his erotic scenarios. ‘Cosimo’s Wife’ is the key work, and others are variations on this theme or, at best, innovative developments on it. This book has essentially two parts, of which the first is easily the best. The whole is set in a country house which is constantly falling down, a show more fact that barely interests the participants in the continuous orgies that take place for the amusement of a multitude of titled aristocrats. The first part amusingly details some of the many liaisons and encounters that together make up the orgiastic continuum, including the arrival of Henry Pike, a character from the earlier books. The impression given by the second part is one of an attempt, not particularly successful, to provide the orgy with some meaning and texture. As with all of the del Piombo novels, this one is entertaining, but not stunningly so. show less

This book is a re-titling of del Piombo's 'Skirts', printed from the same plates by the same publisher and (apparently) in the same year. Such irritating practices are all too common in publishing within the erotic literature genre. Akbar del Piombo is believed to be an alias for Norman Rubington, perhaps best known for his 'Cosimo's Wife'. 'Arena of Lust' is in the same vein of erotic literature, being a light-hearted romp written in the sixties, presaging the explosive liberalisation of show more this genre pioneered in the USA by Grove Press. It tells the story of a young man whose prospects are slim, but concentrated in the size and potency of his male appendage. Once he realises the potential of this instrument he finds himself the centre of insatiable demand from the whole female population, and the envy, even jealousy, of their male consorts. The story told is amusing, involving orgies and an uncomfortable spell in an Eastern harem, involving a set of droll comrades and a number of doting devotees of the arts for which his anatomy makes him ideally suited. Del Piombo's books are worthy classics, firmly embedded in the best literary traditions, if only on the surreal fringes of these traditions. show less