Stephanie G. (thestephanieloves) reviewed Carrie's Story: An Erotic S/M Novel on + 241 more book reviews
Before there was Anastasia, there was Carrie...
Molly Weatherfield's infamous, haunting, and time-revered S/m novel has recently received a makeover! This new Cleis Press reissue has a fabulous foreword by Tristan Taormino, as well as a gorgeous public transportation-friendly cover.
You think Fifty Shades kickstarted the contemporary scene's BDSM obsession? Think again; Carrie's Story came first.
It's been nearly two years since I first read and reviewed Weatherfield's 1995 classic, so it was rather sinfully nostalgic coming back. Carrie's Story is the first BDSM novel I ever readmy initiator, you could sayand it was probably the best-written, most tragic breaking-into I could have possibly asked for. Since then, I guess my taste in erotica has been de-virginized (...deflowered? ...done in the ass?). I remember when just looking at the old cover made me queasy, and the concept of whipping and caning itself made me sick to the stomach. Since then, I've made progress, so rereading this neo-Victorian love story was interesting, to say the least.
When it comes to erotica, especially when it's as hardcore as this, the mainstream is too scaredtoo politeto really give it a chance. The seediness, the raunch, the explosive, completely intentional sexit certainly can be a little daunting. But I think Carrie's Story is exactly the type of book that could quell those fears, bridging the vanilla to the... rocky road, shall we call it?
Aside from containing some of stormiest sex scenes I've read in literature (there's no steamy or sizzling here; it's all temper, passion, and of course, painboth physical and emotional), books like Carrie's Story are so valuable because of the emotional resonance they convey. The helplessness of a love so strong, it will slowly disintegrate if left alone, is perfectly woven through shameless romps of wicked sex. Weatherfield's compelling, absorbing prose wraps readers up into a chilling, powerful narrative that reads like the wisps of a sensual dream, and the plot, in the end, leaves readers aching. At once an emotional ride and an undisciplined frolic in the dark and complex world of BDSM, Carrie's Story combines all the naughty bitsall the chocolate, marshmallow, and of course, nutsinto a relatable, tender love story.
And just to assuage you vanilla folk, I'll end with this: Carrie's Story is like designer-brand erotica; you won't find anything better-written or more intelligent in the genre. It's lyrical, and even its most explicit of passages are tasteful... well, as tasteful as human ponies and sex slaves get. But let's give credit where it's due: there's only so much dignity that one can carry while bound and gagged.
9 out of 10 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Molly Weatherfield's infamous, haunting, and time-revered S/m novel has recently received a makeover! This new Cleis Press reissue has a fabulous foreword by Tristan Taormino, as well as a gorgeous public transportation-friendly cover.
You think Fifty Shades kickstarted the contemporary scene's BDSM obsession? Think again; Carrie's Story came first.
It's been nearly two years since I first read and reviewed Weatherfield's 1995 classic, so it was rather sinfully nostalgic coming back. Carrie's Story is the first BDSM novel I ever readmy initiator, you could sayand it was probably the best-written, most tragic breaking-into I could have possibly asked for. Since then, I guess my taste in erotica has been de-virginized (...deflowered? ...done in the ass?). I remember when just looking at the old cover made me queasy, and the concept of whipping and caning itself made me sick to the stomach. Since then, I've made progress, so rereading this neo-Victorian love story was interesting, to say the least.
When it comes to erotica, especially when it's as hardcore as this, the mainstream is too scaredtoo politeto really give it a chance. The seediness, the raunch, the explosive, completely intentional sexit certainly can be a little daunting. But I think Carrie's Story is exactly the type of book that could quell those fears, bridging the vanilla to the... rocky road, shall we call it?
Aside from containing some of stormiest sex scenes I've read in literature (there's no steamy or sizzling here; it's all temper, passion, and of course, painboth physical and emotional), books like Carrie's Story are so valuable because of the emotional resonance they convey. The helplessness of a love so strong, it will slowly disintegrate if left alone, is perfectly woven through shameless romps of wicked sex. Weatherfield's compelling, absorbing prose wraps readers up into a chilling, powerful narrative that reads like the wisps of a sensual dream, and the plot, in the end, leaves readers aching. At once an emotional ride and an undisciplined frolic in the dark and complex world of BDSM, Carrie's Story combines all the naughty bitsall the chocolate, marshmallow, and of course, nutsinto a relatable, tender love story.
And just to assuage you vanilla folk, I'll end with this: Carrie's Story is like designer-brand erotica; you won't find anything better-written or more intelligent in the genre. It's lyrical, and even its most explicit of passages are tasteful... well, as tasteful as human ponies and sex slaves get. But let's give credit where it's due: there's only so much dignity that one can carry while bound and gagged.
9 out of 10 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
