The Story of Venus and Tannhäuser: A Romantic Novel by Aubrey Beardsley

"The Story of Venus and Tannhäuser: A Romantic Novel" by Aubrey Beardsley is a romantic novel written in the early 20th century. It presents a fantastical narrative surrounding the legendary characters of Tannhäuser, a knight who ventures into the realm of Venus, the goddess of love. The book intricately explores themes of desire, hedonism, and the interplay between love and repentance, all set against a backdrop of opulent and whimsical imagery that characterizes Beardsley's distinctive artistic style. The story follows Tannhäuser as he enters the enchanting Venusberg, where he loses himself in a world of sensual pleasures under the care and seduction of Venus. Initially enthralled by the lavish lifestyle and the goddess's affections, Tannhäuser eventually grapples with his conscience, feeling the pull of repentance that prompts his journey to seek absolution in Rome. The narrative shifts between vivid descriptions of the extravagant court of Venus and Tannhäuser’s introspective struggles. As he navigates his dual yearnings for both worldly indulgence and spiritual redemption, the novel delves into the complexities of human desire and its consequences, delivering a rich tapestry of eroticism and reflection on the nature of love. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Download for free

For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.

Other formats & older devices

About this eBook

Author Beardsley, Aubrey, 1872-1898
Title The Story of Venus and Tannhäuser: A Romantic Novel
Note Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Hill
Credits Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
Reading Level Reading ease score: 62.9 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Fantasy fiction
Subject Love stories
Subject Venus (Roman deity) -- Fiction
Subject Tannhäuser -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 50210
Release Date
Last Update Oct 22, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 468 downloads in the last 30 days.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!