Published in 1707, Charles Ancillon's Traité des eunuques is not a novel, but it tells a story more gripping than many. Ancillon, a French Protestant jurist living in exile, compiled accounts about eunuchs—men castrated in childhood—who served in the powerful harems and courts of the Ottoman Empire and Persia.

The Story

Think of it less as a linear plot and more as a series of vivid, sometimes shocking, portraits. Ancillon describes how these boys were taken, the brutal operations they survived, and their lives afterward. He details their roles as guards, administrators, and confidants in places where they were the only men allowed near women of high status. The book follows their path from trauma to positions of surprising influence, showing how they navigated a world that both despised and depended on them.

Why You Should Read It

This book gets under your skin. It's a brutal reminder of how bodies have been political tools throughout history. But what surprised me was Ancillon's approach. While framed by his own European and Christian biases, he often reports facts and stories that challenge simple judgments. You see these men not just as victims or oddities, but as complex individuals who built lives, wielded power, and formed their own identities within an impossible situation. It forces you to think about freedom, agency, and what society considers 'natural.'

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love history that feels immediate and personal, not just dates and battles. If you're fascinated by gender studies, the history of power, or just incredibly unique primary sources, this is a must-read. Be warned: it's not an easy or pleasant subject. But if you can handle the grim reality, you'll find a text that is profoundly human and disturbingly relevant, even 300 years later.