Diderot (1713-84) was a French philosopher, art critic and writer and a prominent figure during the Enlightenment who is best-known as co-founder, chief editor and contributor to the Encyclopede, published in France between 1751-72. This, his first novel published anonymously in 1748, is an allegory portraying Louis XV as a Sultan of the Congo who owns a magic ring that makes women's genitals ("discreet jewels") talk to reveal their past amorous experiences. Interspersed with the bawdy tales are several digressions into philosophy, music and literature.