A Modern Mephistopheles Author:Louisa May Alcott Vanity, greed, lust, deception, homoeroticism...these are not the things one has come to associate with Ms. Alcott....first published anonymously in 1877...even by today's standards, the book's psychological complexity is striking. — Suspenseful story of Felix, 19 yr old poet on the brink of starvation. Enter Jasper, an older, mysterious man who ... more »offers Felix literary success in exchange for total subjugation. Both men keep their bargain, and their household, with companion Olivia, remains harmonious until Jasper forces Felix to take a wife.« less