Petrus Borel, nicknamedLe Lycanthrope(the wolfman), was born Joseph-Pierre Borel d'Hauterive in Lyon in 1809 and died in Algeria in 1859. Despite the aristocratic-sounding name, his origins were lowly. He was very well known in literary circles in his lifetime, writing extravagant prose that foreshadowed surrealism, but was not a widely popular writer. Madame Putipharwas his only full-length fiction. Putiphar almost certainly represents Madame de Pompadour. She has caused a young man who resisted her advances to be jailed. The novel centres on his despair and the desolation of his underground dungeon. These are two small hardcover volumes, marbled boards with cloth spine and blue endpapers. Published by Leon Willem, Paris. Volume 1 published in 1877, volume 2 in 1878. Second edition, following the text and vignettes of the 1839 edition. The text is entirely in French. The books are showing their age while remaining in good condition. There is wear to the boards, especially