The Sins of the Cities of the Plain

The Sins of the Cities of the Plain (1881) is an erotic novel attributed to Irish prostitute Jack Saul. Published by William Lazenby, a prominent printer of Victorian erotica, The Sins of the Cities of the Plain is considered to be one of the first works of literature dedicated to homosexuality in the English language. "'Saul, Jack Saul, sir, of Lisle Street, Leicester Square, and ready for a lark with a free gentleman at any time. What was it made you take a fancy to me? Did you observe any particularly interesting points about your humble servant?' as he slyly looked down towards the prominent part I have previously mentioned." Having met by chance at Leicester Square, Jack Saul, a successful prostitute-colloquially known as a "Mary-Ann" or "rentboy"-agrees to accompany Mr. Cambon to his home at the Cornwall Mansions. After sharing a meal, the two men get down to business, exploring their young bodies and devoting themselves to pleasure. Curious about Jack's past, Cambon offers him money to share the story of his life. This edition of Jack Saul's The Sins of the Cities of the Plain is a classic work of Victorian erotic fiction reimagined for modern readers. Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book. With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Jack Saul (1857-1904) was an Irish prostitute and author of popular erotica. Born in a Dublin tenement slum, Saul was raised in a poor Catholic family alongside seven siblings. He turned to sex work at a young age, moving to London in 1879 to earn more money for his impoverished mother. There, he gained a reputation as a professional prostitute and was swept up in the Cleveland Street scandal of 1887. During the trial, Saul's confession, which likely risked implicating aristocrats and members of the Royal Family, resulted in his release from custody. In 1881, the erotic novel The Sins of the Cities of the Plain, appeared in print. Marketed as Saul's memoirs, the novel was likely written through the combined efforts of Saul and either Simeon Solomon or James Campbell Reddie, both of whom wrote popular Victorian erotica.