Reviews for Submission

The average rating for Submission based on 2 reviews is 1.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-10-18 00:00:00 Bob Evans Where to start. First of all, this is a horrible representation of a BDSM relationship. This is supposedly based on real events, but I find it more likely that's just to get tongues wagging. Seeing as I'm highly interested in the BDSM community and am in a BDSM-based relationship myself, I can say that this is nothing like what a real- and healthy- relationship is like. There is no discussion of safewords, and even when Elodie says she doesn't want to follow through with what 'He' says, He makes her do it. He beats her. He humiliates her. He whips her so hard she passes out and leaves her tied to a balcony. When she says she wants to love Him, He beats her. Not once does He ask about her well being, not once does He truly show that He cares for her. While I place the majority of the blame on Him (and I hate capitalising it, but that's how he (He)'s addressed in the book), Elodie, the narrator, is also partially to blame. She doesn't know Him. She lets herself get overwhelmed with Him. She says she loves Him, but it reads more like a sick, twisted case of Stockholm Syndrome. There is not discussion about what she wants, what she can do to get out of it, and what He wants from her besides a fuck toy. Because that's what she is- a fuck toy. I felt sick while reading this. I told my partner that if he even treated me slightly the way that's represented in this book, I would take him to court. This isn't a relationship. This is abuse. BDSM is not an abusive relationship. BDSM is not rape. This is what leads me to believe that this author- Marthe Blau- knows nothing about real BDSM relationships, has no history of it, and sees it more as one person using another. BDSM is not that. This book is disgusting. That's it.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-10-19 00:00:00 Kathy Smith - How kinky? Very. Oh wow is it kinky. It is explicit and descriptive, detailing many very kinky practices including orgies, extreme violence, ownership (of a sort) and exhibitionism/voyeurism. - How sexy? Rather. It is, in short, porn. As mentioned, extremely explicit and detailed. The somewhat staccato delivery can be a bit offputting, as I found the lack of rhythm and flow impeded my own, er, flow. The plot was also stop-start, as it focussed for short periods on the sex, and then cut back for longer periods to the protagonist's own feelings - her job, her friends, her own thoughts and her loving family home - anti-sexy as she is a cheater (not poly or consensual cuckolding, just plain cheating). But the language makes up for many halting sins, as it is never shy or demure. It uses the words you want (need) to hear, which brings you right back into the swing of things. - How inspiring? Subjective. I love reading about this stuff, but some of the ideas weren't going to be useful to me personally (anonymity, exhibitionism, orgies etc.). I got some great fantasy fodder out of it, but did it inspire me to copy the book? Not as such. Inspiring of fantasy only (for me/us). - How engaging? Actually, not very. It's not terrible, but I could easily put it down and come back later. I liked reading the short chapters in chunks while in bed, but as mentioned the long periods of concentration on plot points other than the central relationship really slowed it down - in some parts it was actually boring. - How well executed? Well written, but to me it was clear it was translated. I don't know whether the text was translated into English from French, or if the French writer was writing in English, but the language came across as slightly stilted and formal. Only slightly, though, and to a certain extent it adds charm to the writing. - Overall reaction Cute little book. Nice size (handbag sized!) and adorable cover art. Short, bus-ride length chapters and gloriously explicit language. The only real criticism I have of the book as a whole is the undesirable focus on Elodie's feelings, friends, vanilla experiences and of course, the poor family she is cheating on. It makes a lovely and wonderfully delicious porn book into a bit of a moral tale. If I wanted my porn tinged with melancholy and misery I'd be reading Story of O. In short: The plot had a little too much depth for your average porn book, but from certain angles, could be considered to add an element of evil, which some readers may prefer. Sad ending made it a bit morbid for me personally. YMMV. CHECK OUT MY OTHER REVIEWS: