The most famous modern dynasty in the publishing of erotica is centred in Paris. Before the
war an
Anglo-Irishman named Jack Kahane founded the Obelisk Press and published Joyce's
"Haveth Childers" (a
foretaste of "Finnegan's Wake"), Durrell's "The Black Book",
Conolly's "The Rock Pool," and Harris's "Life and
Loves". His son, Maurice Girodias, continued the family business and has published
Nabokov's "Lolita",
Donleavy's "The Ginger bread Man" and Burrough's "The Naked
Lunch". The firm now publishes as Olympia
Press. In 1972 "Scorpio" ran an article, "Is Maurice Girodias Being Forced Out of
Pornography?", indicating the
immense difficulties under which he was operating. At the same time there appears to be an
increasing willingness
to admit that Girodias has made a significant and enduring contribution to modern literature.
After all he was
even asked to contribute a piece to "To Deprave and Corrupt ...," a compilation including
items from such
respectable people as Lord Birkett and Norman St. John-Stevas.