Bawdy and thoroughly risque, this 16th-century masterpiece is the
work of Pietro Aretino, widely regarded as the originator of
European pornographic writing. Determined that her daughter should
not be ignorant of the ways of men and love, Nanna seeks to
"educate" the naive Pippa. She tells of women--whores,
housewives, and nuns all being essentially the same; and of how to
win men--discreetly and with good manners. But mostly, she reveals
to Pippa the secrets of her art as a courtesan. The ensuing
dialogue, laden with satiric twists and naughty puns, offers a
fresh and lively example of the harlot's world, displaying a
frankness that confides in today's reader as shrewdly as it was
intended in 16th-century Rome. 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.
