The Secret Life of Wives
by Pietro Aretino
34 Members (2.83)
On This Page
Description
In this hilarious sequel to The Secret Life of Nuns, courtesan Nanna reveals to her confidante, Antonia, what really goes on in the lives of married women. A woman can only be saved from a life-threatening craving and utter damnation by a well-endowed priest; an over-devout matron releases her inner devil when she meets an attractive hermit; an insatiable wife is redressed by her husband in a most barbarous manner--these are merely some of the "truths" that Aretino exposes behind the show more respectable mask of marriage. And in describing the subterfuges, machinations, and diabolical ruses wives resort to--unbeknownst to their poor husbands--in order to secure the secret object of their desires, Aretino adds another titillating page to his immense catalog of human characters. Italian satirist and poet Pietro Aretino was one of the most versatile writers of the 16th century; the author of plays, poetry, and letters, he is now principally remembered as the originator of European pornography. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
119+ Works 899 Members
Born in the province of Arezzo, hence "the Aretine," Aretino wrote several comedies, tragedies, and satires. He acquired an international reputation, especially in England, being variously appraised in different periods. Thomas Nashe considered him "one of the wittiest knaves God ever made," and John Milton spoke of him as "that notorious ribald show more of Arezzo." Titian was his friend and painted his portrait. He was called the "Scourge of Princes." (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Secret Life of Wives
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 853.3 — Literature & rhetoric Italian, Romanian & related literatures Italian fiction Age of Leo the Tenth 1492–1542
- LCC
- PQ4563 .R2 .E5 — Language and Literature French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese literatures Italian literature Individual authors, 1400-1700
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 34
- Popularity
- 839,445
- Rating
- (2.83)
- Languages
- English, French
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
