Amatory fiction

Amatory fiction is a genre of British literature that became popular during the late 17th century and early 18th century, approximately 1660-1730. It was often spread throughout coteries, published while trying to remain true to the writer's vision without criticism. Amatory fiction predates, and in some ways predicts, the invention of the novel and is an early predecessor of the romance novel. Indeed, many themes of the contemporary romance novel were first explored in amatory fiction. Amatory fiction work was dominated by women and considered to be mainly read by women; however given the popularity of the genre it is highly likely that men read these novels as well. Given the likelihood that men also enjoyed reading amatory fiction, this could also contribute to the genres popularity. As its name implies, amatory fiction is preoccupied with sexual love and romance. Most works of amatory fiction were short stories.

The three most prominent amatory fiction writers were Eliza Haywood (who wrote Love in Excess; Or, The Fatal Enquiry and Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze, as well as over 70 other published works) Delarivier Manley, (author of The Lost Lover (play) and Almyna: or, The Arabian Vow. A Tragedy) and Aphra Behn (who wrote The History of the Nun and "To the Fair Clarinda, Who Made Love to Me, Imagined More than Woman", and one of her most popular works "The Disappointment", which is a tale about a sexual encounter, written from a females point of view, could possibly be about male impotence). Together, these writers were known as "the fair triumvirate of wit", a phrase coined by Rev. James Sterling, though their reputation for scandalous writing caused some to call them the "naughty triumvirate."

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