Scarlet Women: The scandalous lives of courtesans, concubines, and royal mistresses

By Ian Graham

The true stories of scandalous women who defied society in their quests for power…

Courtesans were an elite group of talented, professional mistresses. The most successful became wealthy and famous in their own right. While they led charmed lives, they occupied a curious position: they enjoyed freedom and political power unknown to most women, but they were ostracised by polite society.

From the hetaerae of ancient Greece to the cortigiane oneste of 16th century Venice, the oiran of Edo-period Japan to the demimondaines of 19th century France, this captivating book uncovers the rich, colorful lives of these women who dared to pursue fortunes outside their societies’ norms.