A review by anafuentes
This is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill

challenging dark reflective fast-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

4.0

This is Pleasure by Mary Gaitskill tells the story of the friendship between Margot and Quin after Quin is accused of sexual misconduct by several women. Many of the women coming forward Quin has worked with throughout decades at a publishing house where he held a position of power over them. Quin fails to understand what he did wrong, while Margot struggles to understand how to feel while she vacillates between anger at Quin’s actions and the deep admiration she had long held for her friend.

For a short story, it really does pack a punch. The prose was enthralling and while the characters may be frustrating, it’s a hard story to put down regardless. What most draws me in is the conviction Quin holds that he’s blameless. He has undoubtedly hurt and coerced women, but he is certain everything will work out for him in the end. I parallel this to the many sexual harassment/assault claims that have come out over the years and how often times, there is a denial of these things occurring by the blamed party initially. I also think about how difficult it is to convict in these cases when they do happen. Disappointingly, Quin’s mentality around this seems to fit the norm, but it’s jarring being in the mind of someone like this. Meanwhile, Margot does not want to think any differently of her friend but she can also clearly see the behavior his accusers were pointing out, as she recalls similar moments occurring with her. She believes she stood up to him and that he has respected her ever since. Actually, Quin’s manipulation tactics were used on Margot as well, although after one of their first meetings they were less overtly sexual, and this seems to be why she’s still attached to him like some of the women in his life still are and how some of his accusers may have felt at some point. 

The story doesn’t wrap up neatly and we don’t know what will occur, but being inside the psyche of these characters while they work through this situation was curious. Alongside them, we sort through the manipulations and self-delusions the characters have come to believe.
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