I, Libertine

The novel that began as a radio hoax, Theodore Sturgeon's "I, Libertine" is a hilarious erotic romp through the royal boudoirs of eighteenth century London

Inspired by a notorious radio hoax in the mid-1950s, popular radio host and prankster Jean Shepherd exhorted his faithful listeners to approach their local booksellers the next morning and request copies of the historical novel "I, Libertine" by Frederick R. Ewing—a book that had never been written, by an author who had never been alive. The hoax was so successful that "I, Libertine" became the talk of the town, even earning the unique distinction of being banned by the Archdiocese of Boston, despite the fact that it didn't yet exist. Now there was nothing left to do but write the thing . . . and fantasy and science fiction legend Theodore Sturgeon was called in to work his magic.

Originally written pseudonymously, Sturgeon's "I, Libertine" is a glorious tale of close shaves, daring escapes, and wildly licentious behavior. It covers the bawdy misdeeds of Captain Lance Courtenay as he carelessly romps through the royal court and the bedchambers of London's finest ladies. Chock-full of wicked wit and Sturgeon's trademark twists and turns, it is a hilarious, picaresque adventure that Ewing himself would certainly have been proud to call his own, if he had existed.