Theophile Gautier

King Candaules Theophile Gautier

A beautiful edition (illustrated by Paul Avril) of Gautier?s story of Candaules and Gyges from Herodotus (the long introduction by Anatole France is almost as much fun as this semi-erotic heroic fantasy novelette). Queen Nyssia, the wife of King Candaules was said to be the most beautiful creature ever to inhabit the earth. But because the rules concerning veils are even more severe for queens and such, the King was unable to enjoy the envy of others. It drove him mad, and from that point a very tragic tale unfolds, the advantage going to Queen Nyssia.