ferris_mx's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the stories were somewhat interesting - although the most interesting stories really strained credibility. Perhaps I'm a prude, or perhaps modern times are somewhat different than the 70-odd years ago these stories were written - but surprise endings of pedophelia and incest really put me off and pedophelia, at least, I think should not be a subject for pornography, any more than snuff porn. The introduction says these stories were written for a patron with very specific requirements, and so perhaps there was some subversion, an attempt to provide exactly what was requested but still defy control.
On the other hand, erotica written by a women from the pre-war "dark ages", when things were much more secret, and much more patriarchal, should be recognized.
On the other hand, erotica written by a women from the pre-war "dark ages", when things were much more secret, and much more patriarchal, should be recognized.
fbmzh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
salomereads's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lienhsin's review against another edition
this book horrified me after i read the first story and i never intended to finish it. however, in nin's third diary volume, she describes the birth of this book in such a way that convinced me of their legitimacy (not the right word but it's the best i can do right now). this book still horrified me many times, especially in the first few stories, but it also made me laugh out of sheer bizarreness and the idiocies of men. elena is the best piece of erotic literature i've ever read. i loved her blatant exploration of queerness. the book is a rollercoaster ride of genders, pleasures, and fetishes. upon finishing it, i can say that all the gross and illegal bits were for the man who commissioned these, but the otherwise poetic and fluid descriptions on the nature of sexuality is for the girlies.
seedwa's review against another edition
Not for me. Too mechanical and too taboo for the sake of being taboo.
thekoolaidqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
alixfitz0926's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hot
brianareads's review against another edition
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Pedophilia and Incest
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence