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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Ik ga stoppen met mezelf te pijnigen om dit boek uit te lezen. Ik snap dat dit in haar tijdsgeest en door een vrouw geschreven een belangrijk boek is geweest, de 50 shades of grey van de jaren 40 maar de gruwelijke en bizarre aard van de seks is niets voor mij. De schrijfstijl verveelt me. Nou neej
anais is my one and only re: erotica but frankly some of these commissions were out of pocket and WHY did this edition open with one of the worst ones!!!! if you can skip that one there’s some fun ones in here
Some stories do include some very disturbing scenes but some others are very sensible and captivating. I’d say that the accessible yet, funnily enough, sophisticated and poetic writing lead me to really enjoy reading this book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The opening story slaps you in the face and challenges you if you aren’t well aquatinted with Nin’s work, and the taboos (lightly put) only grow as you read on. However, it all creates a rhythm that you grow to acknowledge and even appreciate by the end of it (I know I did, and I typically avoid erotica all together).
One of the most primal books I think I’ve read in recent years.
A wicked display of human nature.
A passage that stuck with me for some reason:
-
One of the most primal books I think I’ve read in recent years.
A wicked display of human nature.
A passage that stuck with me for some reason:
-
“He planned his moves beforehand with the help of astrology; he often met with the marvellous; he had a gift for evoking it. But no sooner had the marvellous befallen him than he grasped it with the violence of a man who was not sure of having seen it, lived it; and who longed to make it real.”
This work explores themes of sexuality, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. Nin's writing is known for its lyrical style and deep introspection, allowing her to portray the intimate lives of her characters with sensitivity, creating a rich tapestry of eroticism that goes beyond mere excitement. Nin gives each story a sense of authenticity and emotional depth, making them more than just erotic tales. Her characters, often women dealing with their desires and societal pressures, are well-developed, revealing the complexities of their inner lives.
A notable feature of Nin's writing is her skill in blending sensuality with poetic expression. The imagery she creates is vivid and engaging, allowing readers to fully experience the emotional journeys of her characters. Each story goes beyond physical encounters, diving into the psychological and emotional layers that accompany those moments. Nin's prose captures the mix of love, longing, and vulnerability, making even the most explicit scenes feel meaningful rather than excessive.
Themes of freedom and self-exploration run throughout the collection. Nin's characters often face societal expectations, and their paths toward accepting their sexuality are portrayed with subtlety and elegance. The stories challenge traditional views of femininity and desire, celebrating the complexity of women's experiences in a male-dominated society.
A notable feature of Nin's writing is her skill in blending sensuality with poetic expression. The imagery she creates is vivid and engaging, allowing readers to fully experience the emotional journeys of her characters. Each story goes beyond physical encounters, diving into the psychological and emotional layers that accompany those moments. Nin's prose captures the mix of love, longing, and vulnerability, making even the most explicit scenes feel meaningful rather than excessive.
Themes of freedom and self-exploration run throughout the collection. Nin's characters often face societal expectations, and their paths toward accepting their sexuality are portrayed with subtlety and elegance. The stories challenge traditional views of femininity and desire, celebrating the complexity of women's experiences in a male-dominated society.
Reading this book is like going into the prostitutes' tent at a dirty, haggard traveling circus; it's grimy and grotesque, but you want to see it all the same.
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Tbf, the author's note in the beginning was like, "hey, I got paid per word to write erotica for an old man which helped paid the bills and put food on the table." With that in mind, I can look at these characters in the short stories from afar and go, "Damn. Y'all see this shit? Anyway..."
Very dated way of speaking about sexuality, race, consent, etc. Would not rec to anyone in my life. Unless you're into that and in that case, we should discuss the book. Def not for the faint-hearted. Wonder how much is the author and how much is the author pandering for the audience. Prose is what kept me reading. Sometimes coy in what she's writing, sometimes outright "yeh he stuck in her and it hurt. And then she came for some reason?" Lol but a fascinating look at what life used to be like way back when. Read enough modern sex scenes to bore of them almost immediately so reading this was quite captivating. Had necrophilia too since it's not in the content warning
Very dated way of speaking about sexuality, race, consent, etc. Would not rec to anyone in my life. Unless you're into that and in that case, we should discuss the book. Def not for the faint-hearted. Wonder how much is the author and how much is the author pandering for the audience. Prose is what kept me reading. Sometimes coy in what she's writing, sometimes outright "yeh he stuck in her and it hurt. And then she came for some reason?" Lol but a fascinating look at what life used to be like way back when. Read enough modern sex scenes to bore of them almost immediately so reading this was quite captivating. Had necrophilia too since it's not in the content warning
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Classism
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes