Baise-MOI (Rape Me) Book

Baise-Moi is a violent, sexually explicit novel containing so much rage that it is almost unbearable. I almost feel a little guilty for enjoying it so much, but I can't help myself. The novel centers around two young female characters: Manu and Nadine. Manu is a young woman who seems detached from life. She drinks far too much, does drugs, and even makes adult films on occasion to fund her drinking and drug abuse. She puts no value in herself, her body, or anything else. After being horrifically gang-raped one day, she meets and teams up with Nadine, a prostitute who is addicted to adult films and loud music. They go on a vicious, brutal murder spree where they take what they want, including lives, sex, and money, and offer no apologies. They seek to find the ultimate freedom.

One would think it would be difficult to find anything redeeming or likeable in a novel like Baise-Moi, but I found it impossible to put down. It was so unashamed with its sexuality and violence that it was almost liberating to read. The actions of the characters are despicable and disgusting, but it's not impossible to understand the source of their rage and even pity them in some small way. The novel is written in an unemotional style. You get the violence and gore without pages of inner monologue or inner exploration of the characters themselves. The writing style added a lot to the gritty feel of the story. When you strip away the aggression, you are really left with two vulnerable characters that feel alone and think they have nothing to lose because there is no hope for anything better in life. The core of the story is really quite sad.

Baise-Moi isn't a novel that everyone will understand or appreciate, but it can't really be explained either. I recommend reading it and coming to your own conclusion.

On a side note, if you enjoyed the novel you might like the film by the same name. It's just as disturbing, but it's interesting.