Virtual Erotic Book Club--Any Interest?

[RomanHans]

Hehe... Thanks... I'll keep my eye open for online stories, but lately I've been mostly caught up with lit... Between reading and writing I've kept myself occupied. *grin*

--cat

Thanks for posting on this thread at least--I'll try to bump it every now and then in case someone finds something interesting to recommend for reading.

Roman

 

[catastrophe]

Yeah it's a good idea... If I weren't so broke I wouldn't mind actually buying something to read, but online would be soooo much easier.

xoxo
cat

 

[shopperst]

Great idea

popping in to say hi & sign me up!

What's on the reading list at the moment?

 

[RomanHans]

Re: Great idea

popping in to say hi & sign me up!

What's on the reading list at the moment?

Ummm...nothing at the moment, I'm afraid. But do you have a suggestion?

Roman

 

[MercyMia]

Bumping to suggest we find something short in the Lit stories to read and then discuss? There are lots of Authors' feedback threads. This could be a Readers' feedback thread. The authors would probably peek in here now and then to see what we think.

Since RH is the daddy of the thread, he could pick one of his oldtime Lit favorites for us to read. Then we could each pick something as time progressed. Does that work?

Just trying to get the ball rolling.

 

[catastrophe]

I'd say that's fine for a start, and then if someone comes up with something else online or we all break down and buy something we can always do that.

xoxo
cat

 

[tendril]

Bumping to suggest we find something short in the Lit stories to read and then discuss? There are lots of Authors' feedback threads. This could be a Readers' feedback thread. The authors would probably peek in here now and then to see what we think.

Since RH is the daddy of the thread, he could pick one of his oldtime Lit favorites for us to read. Then we could each pick something as time progressed. Does that work?

Just trying to get the ball rolling.

Good plan Mia.
Count me in Roman.

 

[whatsinanameuk]

Good plan Mia.
Count me in Roman.

Me too

 

[RomanHans]

Bumping to suggest we find something short in the Lit stories to read and then discuss? There are lots of Authors' feedback threads. This could be a Readers' feedback thread. The authors would probably peek in here now and then to see what we think.

Since RH is the daddy of the thread, he could pick one of his oldtime Lit favorites for us to read. Then we could each pick something as time progressed. Does that work?

Just trying to get the ball rolling.

Hmmm, ball is back in my court? Well, to be honest, I'm interested in looking beyond Lit for examples of interesting erotica--there are actually TWO threads for discussing Lit works (the Story Feedback thread and the Story Discussion Circle. I chose the previous story for discussion here, which received little notice and scant praise, so my track record is not the greatest.

So, here's my vote for the next story for discussion:

http://www.asstr.org/~Kristen/09/lucstays.txt

It's from the Kristen Collection on ASSTR (alt.sex.stories text repository). Let us all know what you think!

Roman

 

[hongluobo]

cool idea RH... count me in.... I have a good friend on Lit named Salacious who knows a lot about erotic literature.... and will steer her this way. I actually recommended 2 books to her that I am afraid weren't great, although one of them is a translation of a little known Chinese classic from the late Ming dynasty called "The Prayer Mat of Flesh" or "The Before Midnight Scholar"

I would prefer on-line reading too as it is sort of hard to get my hands on erotica here in China.

 

[RomanHans]

Rules of Engagement

Since most recent posters were not among the first group to participate in this thread, and since I've totally forgotten what I've said about this 'book club' up to this point, here's my proposed guidelines for how the discussion should proceed.

1. READ THE STORY BEFORE YOU COMMENT ON IT

2. Anyone can feel free to kick off the discussion--post your reaction to the story, focusing on anything related to content, style, characters, themes, etc.

3. Please feel free to react to the comments of previous posters, but I'd appreciate it if folks tried to be civil and respectful of others' opinions

4. Please make your post a bit more informative and analytical than "I liked it" or "I hated it"

5. Discussion of the work will run until (a) everyone has had their say, or (b) someone proposes another work to read, whichever comes first

Looking forward to anyone's ideas--I REFUSE to make the first comment, since I suggested the story!

Roman

 

[tendril]

Re: Rules of Engagement

Since most recent posters were not among the first group to participate in this thread, and since I've totally forgotten what I've said about this 'book club' up to this point, here's my proposed guidelines for how the discussion should proceed.

1. READ THE STORY BEFORE YOU COMMENT ON IT

2. Anyone can feel free to kick off the discussion--post your reaction to the story, focusing on anything related to content, style, characters, themes, etc.

3. Please feel free to react to the comments of previous posters, but I'd appreciate it if folks tried to be civil and respectful of others' opinions

4. Please make your post a bit more informative and analytical than "I liked it" or "I hated it"

5. Discussion of the work will run until (a) everyone has had their say, or (b) someone proposes another work to read, whichever comes first

Looking forward to anyone's ideas--I REFUSE to make the first comment, since I suggested the story!

Roman

Thanks Roman for the link....it just happens I have some free days...for lazy summer reading.

 

[whatsinanameuk]

Making a start

Hmmm, ball is back in my court? Well, to be honest, I'm interested in looking beyond Lit for examples of interesting erotica--there are actually TWO threads for discussing Lit works (the Story Feedback thread and the Story Discussion Circle. I chose the previous story for discussion here, which received little notice and scant praise, so my track record is not the greatest.

So, here's my vote for the next story for discussion:

http://www.asstr.org/~Kristen/09/lucstays.txt

It's from the Kristen Collection on ASSTR (alt.sex.stories text repository). Let us all know what you think!

Roman

Lucy Stays. Miles Naismith

First off I'd have to say I don't usually read erotica by other men - I have the male perspective already, so I prefer women authors.

That said, I found this a compelling read, the story won't let you stop reading, mainly for me, because it gives an airing to Lucy's inner turmoil and dilemma. I enjoyed the sex, FFM is usually a winner for me. A downside to me was the controlling nature of Wade, but then without it I wouldn't have had the response of Lucy to that control, so on balance it had to be there. Not one for guys to read at work (unless your boss doesn't mind tented trousers). So Roman - you kicked us of, for me anyway, with a good 'un!

 

[RomanHans]

Re: Making a start

Lucy Stays. Miles Naismith

First off I'd have to say I don't usually read erotica by other men - I have the male perspective already, so I prefer women authors.

That said, I found this a compelling read, the story won't let you stop reading, mainly for me, because it gives an airing to Lucy's inner turmoil and dilemma. I enjoyed the sex, FFM is usually a winner for me. A downside to me was the controlling nature of Wade, but then without it I wouldn't have had the response of Lucy to that control, so on balance it had to be there. Not one for guys to read at work (unless your boss doesn't mind tented trousers). So Roman - you kicked us of, for me anyway, with a good 'un!

Cool. Thanks for your reaction.

On another thread, the topic of differences in erotica written by men and women came up...there seems to be a consensus (or stereotype) that women are more detail- and character-oriented when writing about sex, and thus are better able to create arousing images through language. I think this author did a fine job setting an interresting tone and developing the characters in a short space. Also interesting that it is (presumably) a male author writing from the female perspective--that kind of 'role reversal' always seems intriguing. I'd be interested to see if any women readers found Lucy to be a credible character.

From a male perspective, Lucy is also a very strong fantasy character...the 'reluctant' woman who discovers that she loves sex, loves to be a slut, always thinking that she's acquiescing to her lover 'against her will' but secretly revelling in it...I think that in part that fantasy is a variation on the stereotypical 'lady in public, whore in the bedroom' persona that most men seem to like. So maybe it's no surprise that this was written by a man.

Therefore, it's hard to tell if this is an example of a 'non-consensual' story. Lucy claims that Wade has some hypnotic power over her and Anne, but the implication clearly is that this alleged 'power' is a rationalization for the two of them to allow themselves to be dominated and exploited by him. So seems that there are some subtle themes intertwined here, of submission, secret desires, and wanton lust...

I'm undecided about the character of Lucy's husband, also. Is he just a pushover? Or is he really excited by picturing his wife taken by another man? He seems to help reassure and support Lucy in exploring her sexual limits with Wade...or is he enabling her unsafe behavior?

Whoa--did I write all that mumbo-jumbo?

Roman

 

[whatsinanameuk]

Re: Re: Making a start

Cool. Thanks for your reaction.

On another thread, the topic of differences in erotica written by men and women came up...there seems to be a consensus (or stereotype) that women are more detail- and character-oriented when writing about sex, and thus are better able to create arousing images through language. I think this author did a fine job setting an interresting tone and developing the characters in a short space. Also interesting that it is (presumably) a male author writing from the female perspective--that kind of 'role reversal' always seems intriguing. I'd be interested to see if any women readers found Lucy to be a credible character.

From a male perspective, Lucy is also a very strong fantasy character...the 'reluctant' woman who discovers that she loves sex, loves to be a slut, always thinking that she's acquiescing to her lover 'against her will' but secretly revelling in it...I think that in part that fantasy is a variation on the stereotypical 'lady in public, whore in the bedroom' persona that most men seem to like. So maybe it's no surprise that this was written by a man.

Therefore, it's hard to tell if this is an example of a 'non-consensual' story. Lucy claims that Wade has some hypnotic power over her and Anne, but the implication clearly is that this alleged 'power' is a rationalization for the two of them to allow themselves to be dominated and exploited by him. So seems that there are some subtle themes intertwined here, of submission, secret desires, and wanton lust...

I'm undecided about the character of Lucy's husband, also. Is he just a pushover? Or is he really excited by picturing his wife taken by another man? He seems to help reassure and support Lucy in exploring her sexual limits with Wade...or is he enabling her unsafe behavior?

Whoa--did I write all that mumbo-jumbo?

Roman

Funny about the husband - he is almost a throw away character - I found him rather weak - not necessarily in personality but the way his character was developed.

 

[MercyMia]

Lucy Stays

This was a riveting read. I tend to skim over much of the text in less-skillfully written stories--getting a general feel for the story through the dialogue, the first sentences of each paragraph. Here, however, I paid attention throughout.

The strength of "Lucy Stays" was definitely Lucy's character. We are allowed into her thought processes, her agony, her reluctant pleasures. She was quite credible. The interior monologue felt solid. There were some great details told from Lucy's perspective that solidified her to me. At one point in the story, I think Wade is behind her, about to enter her and she glances down and tells us what she sees, different parts of her body, how they feel at that moment. Very convincing. Well-rendered.

The language shone in a few spots ("a hand in my brain"). The story cohered well around the plot, the unraveling of events, small lies, small self-delusions and gradual total surrender. I enjoyed the masterful pacing--no feeling of rush.

I agree that the 2 male characters were a tad bit bland. Wade was not drawn in enough detail or substance to suit me. Since he was supposed to provide Lucy's motivation, he should have more presence as a character, be more convincing. Fergus also was shadowy, too quick to acquiesce to Lucy's unspoken desire to return to Wade and Anne. If I could have seen him vacillate a bit, show some insecurities about the possibility of Lucy leaving him or later finding him inadequate, he would have been more convincing as a husband.

Thanks for the selection, Roman.

 

[woody54]

Erotic Book Club

Roman,

I just found this thread and it sounds like it could get interesting if enough people commit to it, so I'm a starter.
I find wading through the stories on Lit a bit of a trial by boredom as so much of it is crass porn.
For much of it, the usually expected elements such as writing talent and a story line that draws you in are just not there. But, I suppose it is an expected limitation on a porn site where many are just penning their fantasies.
Roll on with the good erotica.

 

[RomanHans]

Re: Erotic Book Club

Roman,

I just found this thread and it sounds like it could get interesting if enough people commit to it, so I'm a starter.
I find wading through the stories on Lit a bit of a trial by boredom as so much of it is crass porn.
For much of it, the usually expected elements such as writing talent and a story line that draws you in are just not there. But, I suppose it is an expected limitation on a porn site where many are just penning their fantasies.
Roll on with the good erotica.

Hey Woody, thanks for joining in...we can always use more discerning readers! Is there any promising erotica that you've found (on Lit or elsewhere) among the vast expanses of 'crass porn?'

Roman

 

[RomanHans]

Re: Lucy Stays

This was a riveting read. I tend to skim over much of the text in less-skillfully written stories--getting a general feel for the story through the dialogue, the first sentences of each paragraph. Here, however, I paid attention throughout.

The strength of "Lucy Stays" was definitely Lucy's character. We are allowed into her thought processes, her agony, her reluctant pleasures. She was quite credible. The interior monologue felt solid. There were some great details told from Lucy's perspective that solidified her to me. At one point in the story, I think Wade is behind her, about to enter her and she glances down and tells us what she sees, different parts of her body, how they feel at that moment. Very convincing. Well-rendered.

<snip>

I was interested in how he inserted those parenthetical comments of what Lucy was actually thinking, interrupting the flow to provide little snapshots of her thoughts to herself. Interesting stylistic trick. And definitely, a close attention to the details (emotional and physical) of the sex makes it even hotter...

One thing that annoys me with poorly-written stories (such as those on Lit) are when the story is written from one character's point of view, but every so often the author switches to tell us what another character is thinking. It really is jarring to me. What's that quote about a little inconsistency being the hobgoblins of poor thinking?

Roman

 

[RomanHans]

Uh oh, this thread is once again in danger of sliding into oblivion...maybe a book club is too 'serious' to survive on The Playground

Roman

 

[tendril]

Uh oh, this thread is once again in danger of sliding into oblivion...maybe a book club is too 'serious' to survive on The Playground

Roman

No...Im sure we can keep it staggering along !

Ive read your pick and will be back at a decent hour tomorrow to give you my thoughts.

 

[whatsinanameuk]

No...Im sure we can keep it staggering along !

Ive read your pick and will be back at a decent hour tomorrow to give you my thoughts.

It is such a good thread (even if only for the few who enjoy it) that it will survive - keep it up Roman !! (and the thread )

 

[whatsinanameuk]

Bump

Do we give the last rites?

 

[tendril]

Re: Bump

Do we give the last rites?

nope

 

[whatsinanameuk]

Re: Re: Bump

nope

what can we bump with then?