norman said on 2012/12/24 at 5:57 pm
Hi to all readers,
With the recent popularity of erotic fiction, and when you have all read the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy, may I suggest a book; a very long book, that will surely have all your desires fulfilled.
The book is "The Crimson Petal And The White", available from RNIB talking Book Library. The story is exceptionally well written but in a rather unusual way. The narrator takes us on a journey with him/her through the action making pertinent comments. The story is very well crafted and the ending is a big surprise.
The novel is set in Victorian London and depicts in graphic detail the llife of prostitutes to believers and the aristocracy. Despite the length of the book, it is fast moving and entirely captivating. Fiction it may be, but it portrays Victorian life in London with acuracy and candour.
I very much enjoyed this book for what it was; but I feel a note of caution must here be given. Some of the language and descriptive passages are explisit, and this book is not for the faint hearted or squeemish! But if you like erotica plus, then don't hesitate, you will not be disappointed.
Norman.
norman said on 24/12/2012 at 5:57 pm
Hi to all who have replied to my review, I thank you most sincerely.
Regarding the narrators of this kind of novel, I can do no better than point you to the interview on the last issue of Read On magazine where a narrator talks about this very subject. I can only add that, they have the choice to read or not. I can see no objection to narrating GOOD erotic fiction, it would be quite another matter if the novel was simply gratuitous filth. In such a case, I would certainly not be reading. However, as my review indicates, The Crimson Petal and The White is beautifully and sensitivly written.
I hope that answers the replies from Rose and Ricky. Babs was quite right. I am the reader, the person reading is the narrator who has the choice just as I have. Thank you Babs for raising that important point.
Finally, can I say in my own defence, I am not a dirty old man who likes a bit of sexual fantasy, but I do like reading excellent books!!
Norman.
the ghost of Phrixus said on 21/12/2012 at 4:22 pm
I did read the TB of Fanny Hill (TB 408909) a year or two ago. It's not easy to find on the catalogue as the original title "Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure" is used. It's a fascinatingly early novel (1748) giving a surprisingly vivid picture of eighteenth-century London. The erotic elements are quite straightforward. I can't remember if it had a professional reader or not. None is listed in the catalogue, so it may have been read by volunteers. Who consequently might have been given a bit of a surprise by what they had to read.
There are 35 TB catalogue entries listed under "Adult Fiction: Erotic Stories". There's a lot of pulp fiction but a few classics too, such as "The Story of O" and De Sade's "Juliette". There are also titles by Fay Weldon, Henry Miller, Anais Nin and Iris Murdoch that might be worth checking out. You can find the list using a category search, or I suppose ask the helpline if it's not too embarrassing.
lonesomecowboy said on 18/12/2012 at 8:10 pm
HI Babs Norman and Rosehaving read all of the messages I beleive the reader Rose refers to is the person who readsthe books on people who neeed audio books on people l who require that service are the narrators free to choose the books they are happy to read on our belaf can anybody give me an answer
Ricky
Babs said on 17/12/2012 at 9:03 pm
Thank you for your post Norman, always good to have a recommendation.
Felt I had to comment on Rose's reply, who asked have you ever thought about what the reader felt? What a strange question! Norman was the "reader" as would be anyone who read the book. If you don't like erotica, don't read it, simple as. It sounds to me as if you are judging others, which really is not on. As Norman pointed out, the massive popularity of books such as "50 shades" goes to show what a huge interest there is for this genre.
Babs
sleepwalk said on 14/12/2012 at 9:03 pm
Hello Norman
I don't really go in for erotica myself. I know what goes on behind a bedroom door. So why am I replying to you? Well really I want to ask you a question. Obviously you like a bit of rough and tumble but Have you ever wondered how the reader feels about it? Don't misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing you at all for your reading tastes. I just wondered if the thought had ever crossed your mind that's all. It has mine. I mean Imagine Robert Gladwell reading something published by Black Lace? The mind boggles.
Rose