4th out of 5 books
—
2 voters
The Intimate Adventures Of A London Call Girl (Belle De Jour #1)
Belle couldn't find a job after University. Her impressive degree was not paying her rent or buying her food. But after a fantastic threesome with a very rich couple that gave her a ton of money, Belle realized that she could earn more than anyone she knew--by becoming a call girl. The rest is history. Belle became a twenty-something London working girl--and had the audaci...more
294 pages
Published
(first published January 1st 2005)
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Originally a blog, this book is a collection of diary entries from a London call girl. Belle is a likable narrator, even if I had a hard time believing both her unshakable businesslike nature and her overall good humor.
Being a call girl never really seems to get her depressed; the men never seem ugly, or vicious, or bad in bed. I felt like she had done better as a call girl finding decent guys than most of us do dating. Which is a pretty good recommendation for becoming a call girl, I guess.
One...more
Being a call girl never really seems to get her depressed; the men never seem ugly, or vicious, or bad in bed. I felt like she had done better as a call girl finding decent guys than most of us do dating. Which is a pretty good recommendation for becoming a call girl, I guess.
One...more
This book initially sank its claws into me during the hot sex scene at the beginning. A friend of mine kept recommending the Showtime series to me, but already having enough television addictions, I thought I'd read the book. Big mistake.
I feel that I regressed a little while reading this, and a more appropriate title would be, "The Narcissistic Ramblings of a Nympho." That's right, don't be fooled - Ms. Dujour paints the work of a callgirl as a fun little jaunt between various male's abodes and...more
I feel that I regressed a little while reading this, and a more appropriate title would be, "The Narcissistic Ramblings of a Nympho." That's right, don't be fooled - Ms. Dujour paints the work of a callgirl as a fun little jaunt between various male's abodes and...more
I would like to first say that I only gave this book 4 stars because of the end. I am not sure if the author had always been planning a sequel and that's why it ended the way it did but it just sort of stopped. On one had it was very much like an actual personal journal, people writing journals don't wrap up the plot before filling it up and moving on to the next one, but this also leaves the reader with very little closure. I finished and felt like, "OK that was odd".
Aside from that I loved th...more
Aside from that I loved th...more
Feb 29, 2008
Shari
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
men with illusions
Still reading, maybe, but now I remember why I stopped reading her blog: "the boy."
People who say "the boy" to refer to their significant other come across as a) insecure and b) not fooling anybody about the long-term prospects of that relationship. Also, they're as annoying as a toddler discovering a new word.
While I can award 9 out of 10 for her maintaining focus on the (theoretically) titillating bits that (theoretically) everyone wants to read, where is the human side of Miss BdJ? Does she...more
People who say "the boy" to refer to their significant other come across as a) insecure and b) not fooling anybody about the long-term prospects of that relationship. Also, they're as annoying as a toddler discovering a new word.
While I can award 9 out of 10 for her maintaining focus on the (theoretically) titillating bits that (theoretically) everyone wants to read, where is the human side of Miss BdJ? Does she...more
Jul 08, 2011
*•.♥.•*Sabrina Rutter*•.♥.•*
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sex-workers
I must be honest and say that I only read up to page 201.
In my opinion this book is written by a transexual. I have friends that are strippers that don't go through all the make-up, shaving, and deodorant that this person does.
Maybe I would have enjoyed the book more if the author was honest and said that they were a transexual call girl, but I just can't get into a book where I feel like the author is lieing about who they actually are.
There was also a story about her masturbating that sortive...more
In my opinion this book is written by a transexual. I have friends that are strippers that don't go through all the make-up, shaving, and deodorant that this person does.
Maybe I would have enjoyed the book more if the author was honest and said that they were a transexual call girl, but I just can't get into a book where I feel like the author is lieing about who they actually are.
There was also a story about her masturbating that sortive...more
I was only going to give this book three stars, but I can't justify doing that. It was a great read. True, you can read it all for free on her blog, but the girl put herself out there, blogging about a day-to-day that is much racier and far less legal than most.
Unlike some other reviewers, I thought her tone was perfect. She came off as a bit snarky and certainly intelligent--which isn't a view we're often given of anyone who works in the sex industry.
She's pretty fair about her ups and downs...more
Unlike some other reviewers, I thought her tone was perfect. She came off as a bit snarky and certainly intelligent--which isn't a view we're often given of anyone who works in the sex industry.
She's pretty fair about her ups and downs...more
Sep 05, 2008
Christina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir,
2008-reads
I was originally planning to give this memoir three stars, but by the final page I couldn't justify why it didn't deserve four. I really enjoyed this. Belle is upfront honest, classy, humourous and intelligent; She has an insight to the world that you wouldn't "expect" from someone in her expertise. Any stereotype you have in mind about call girls will pretty much be banished by the time you're finished reading.
If anything, I'd say I admired her - not her chosen lifestyle, per say, but definite...more
If anything, I'd say I admired her - not her chosen lifestyle, per say, but definite...more
I'll admit I was only curious to read this because I really enjoyed the t.v show.
I think my main problem with this was the format. Obviously, it's an actual diary and I actually enjoy books in the diary format when they're interesting. I've never read a diary that was as all-over-the-place as this.
I was expecting something different; something better. I didn't think it was awful but I didn't find much of it very entertaining. A lot of the diary entries would be completely random things that hap...more
I think my main problem with this was the format. Obviously, it's an actual diary and I actually enjoy books in the diary format when they're interesting. I've never read a diary that was as all-over-the-place as this.
I was expecting something different; something better. I didn't think it was awful but I didn't find much of it very entertaining. A lot of the diary entries would be completely random things that hap...more
I am a little bit over sexual adventuress books, to be quite honest (see In My Skin: A Memoir; The Bride Stripped Bare) but I'd always meant to pick this one up at some point, as I had seen the telly show with Billie Piper (very scarred at seeing Rose's boobs - what would the Doctor think?). One of the reasons why I liked this one much better than those other books is because Belle du Jour approached the topic and experiences with a sense of humour - Gemmell and Holden taken themselves so seriou...more
A book about the life of a call girl, boring? Yes. I understand it was a blog first, but looks like the author didn't bother to review the entries and compose a more interesting and well-constructed story out of them.
I didn't expect anything especially revealing or insightful, but a little more substance would have been nice. Surprisingly, the author wrote a lot about her private life (boyfriends, parents, travels), and much less about her work, and this was what I wanted to read about. All righ...more
I didn't expect anything especially revealing or insightful, but a little more substance would have been nice. Surprisingly, the author wrote a lot about her private life (boyfriends, parents, travels), and much less about her work, and this was what I wanted to read about. All righ...more
I love blogs. I am obsessed with blogs. I am not so sure blogs should be books.
I have read my share of blogs turned books. I didn't think this book was of that category-until I read the first two entries.
Belle de Jour: Diary of an Unlikely Call Girl had an intriguing cover. I judge books by their cover.
I liked the book, but I am having a hard time singing it's praises. I am not sure why. It's not that I am up tight about sex or prostitution. Please.
Belle, as I guess her name is, is a call girl....more
I have read my share of blogs turned books. I didn't think this book was of that category-until I read the first two entries.
Belle de Jour: Diary of an Unlikely Call Girl had an intriguing cover. I judge books by their cover.
I liked the book, but I am having a hard time singing it's praises. I am not sure why. It's not that I am up tight about sex or prostitution. Please.
Belle, as I guess her name is, is a call girl....more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Alternate Titles:
Hard Core Sex and the City or Life During The Depression 2.0?
I read this book for two reasons: 1) I needed an easy read so I can reach my Goodreads goal for the year and 2) I watched Secret Diary of a Call Girl. This first half of this book is focused on the sex. In this portion of the book I found a lot to be unbelievable but maybe that’s because I’m a “prudy American.” Most of the “plot” seemed to deal with her relationships and life rather than clients so that’s why I liken...more
Hard Core Sex and the City or Life During The Depression 2.0?
I read this book for two reasons: 1) I needed an easy read so I can reach my Goodreads goal for the year and 2) I watched Secret Diary of a Call Girl. This first half of this book is focused on the sex. In this portion of the book I found a lot to be unbelievable but maybe that’s because I’m a “prudy American.” Most of the “plot” seemed to deal with her relationships and life rather than clients so that’s why I liken...more
I really wanted to give this book three stars. It's refreshing to see someone write about their sexuality in such an unfettered manner. In a way, the author normalizes sexual desire, framing it as a natural appetite to be sated and enjoyed where and when appropriate, much like a penchant for good food and fine wine. Sex is taken off its oft-unquestioned pedestal, stripped of its usual moral and mystical raiment, until we can look into its bare face as just another basic drive, a sibling of thirs...more
This book, which was originally an award wining blog, was turned into a TV series starring Billie Piper. I’ve posted photographs of Billie playing Belle, I think I even posted a gif which is rare for me. I watched the programme before I read the book and I’m really glad I did. The Belle we see on TV is more of an every woman than the one in the book. I’m not saying that she was dumbed down but there was less of a sense that she talked about literature, art and film with her clients than there is...more
Jul 11, 2010
Alana
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2010_07_july,
reviewed
Well, there's no subtle twist to this book; it's exactly what it promises to be: Belle de Jour: Diary of an Unlikely Call Girl offers a glimpse at a year in the life of a high-class London working girl, though as far as "unlikely" goes, it might be up for debate... perhaps just pleasantly atypical. The original title (or at least the British title) is Belle de Jour: The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl and that seems a bit more apt. Thankfully, it is not the kind of diary kept by those...more
I picked up this book after watching the first 2 episodes of "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" on Showtime. I was intrigued by the concept of a PhD student turned "working girl" and I was looking for a read that was going to be "lighthearted, and scandalous" as Ben always says.
I really enjoyed her writing style. It was much better than I expected, which makes sense, seeing as she was a science blogger, then sex blogger for many years before publishing this memoir. It was fun and clever, serious at t...more
I really enjoyed her writing style. It was much better than I expected, which makes sense, seeing as she was a science blogger, then sex blogger for many years before publishing this memoir. It was fun and clever, serious at t...more
Though I was skeptical, due to the marketing and first few minutes of the Showtime series, I was surprised at the quality of this book.
The diary format makes this book interesting because in truth, there's no story. No arc. No real character development. Just the notes and observations on life and vocation from the point of view of a beautiful British post-grad who just never cut it in the office world. "Belle" tells us about her friends, exclusively males and even more exclusively ex-boyfriend...more
The diary format makes this book interesting because in truth, there's no story. No arc. No real character development. Just the notes and observations on life and vocation from the point of view of a beautiful British post-grad who just never cut it in the office world. "Belle" tells us about her friends, exclusively males and even more exclusively ex-boyfriend...more
I've read some of the other reviews here on this book and I think some of them miss the Englishness of this book. The English are so loose and casual about sex. I don't mean in its execution, more in the attitude towards it. I think the English lack the puritanical aspect that seems to dominate other nations.
The sex scenes are described more like a mechanic talking about a days work. Note the lack of shame, self-disgust and judgement, just the plain facts ma'am, with a touch of respect for her c...more
The sex scenes are described more like a mechanic talking about a days work. Note the lack of shame, self-disgust and judgement, just the plain facts ma'am, with a touch of respect for her c...more
Sep 24, 2010
Marte Patel
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biographies,
kindle
For a long time I thought I definitely did not want to read this book, and I didn't watch the TV series with Billie Piper either. I thought it sounded too blasé about prostitution and the feminist inside me objected.
But then I saw it on my friend's shelf, and she said it was interesting, so I thought maybe I'd read it one day, if only to learn something. And now that I have my Kindle, which affords a little more privacy, I felt the time had come to give it a chance.
I found this 'memoir' interest...more
But then I saw it on my friend's shelf, and she said it was interesting, so I thought maybe I'd read it one day, if only to learn something. And now that I have my Kindle, which affords a little more privacy, I felt the time had come to give it a chance.
I found this 'memoir' interest...more
An interesting, semi-light read--however, if you want to check it out, look for it under its former title, Belle du Jour; without the Showtime deal, it'll run you half as much to buy. Saying that, I don't regret buying this book, but it did fall a little short in the end; it reads like the blog it was based on, but a very short blog--we hear Belle's voice, but not quite enough to make it a must-read.
Read 03/05/2013 - 13/05/2013
The real issue with Belle de Jour's 'adventures' are that they are literally just her blog, printed and bound. Which means that they are real accounts of her day to day life. Which means that they are quite boring.
Initially, it's interesting to read about the lifestyle, the job, how she got into it, how the service works. That would be considered the 'set up' of a fictional novel. But then, the book goes nowhere. Details of her appointments with clients become sort of...more
The real issue with Belle de Jour's 'adventures' are that they are literally just her blog, printed and bound. Which means that they are real accounts of her day to day life. Which means that they are quite boring.
Initially, it's interesting to read about the lifestyle, the job, how she got into it, how the service works. That would be considered the 'set up' of a fictional novel. But then, the book goes nowhere. Details of her appointments with clients become sort of...more
I thought this was fantastic. I had stumbled upon the show after some Doctor Who intervention (the lead in the show is Billie Piper, who plays Belle in the show). When I found out this was a blog turned book, I just had to scoop it up.
The writing style of blog/journal is one I admit I am not usually fond of, but she just made it work so well for her story. I was hooked immediately of course, and though I loved the inclusion of the A's, I was sad to not see her best friend from the show (whom I...more
The writing style of blog/journal is one I admit I am not usually fond of, but she just made it work so well for her story. I was hooked immediately of course, and though I loved the inclusion of the A's, I was sad to not see her best friend from the show (whom I...more
Book 14/ 100
Book: Secret Diary of a Call Girl
Author: Anonymous (formerly Belle de Jour)
ISBN: 978-0-446-54082-7
Pages: 291
I admit, I wanted to read this book because I love the British TV series starring Billie Piper. And although the book lives up to its steamy reputation, it was somewhat hard to get through.
This book is basically the diary of Belle de Jour, a university graduate who gets into the sex work trade after participating in a threesome where she was paid afterwards, the thrill of it is...more
Book: Secret Diary of a Call Girl
Author: Anonymous (formerly Belle de Jour)
ISBN: 978-0-446-54082-7
Pages: 291
I admit, I wanted to read this book because I love the British TV series starring Billie Piper. And although the book lives up to its steamy reputation, it was somewhat hard to get through.
This book is basically the diary of Belle de Jour, a university graduate who gets into the sex work trade after participating in a threesome where she was paid afterwards, the thrill of it is...more
This was pretty much complete trash. Apparently they made it into a TV show!? WTF... Dear everyone, please stop making blogs into books. The only one I found even remotely entertaining was Candy Girl, and that wasn't great either.
I just didn't find Belle very likable, and the whole thing just seemed annoying. The sex was either very vague or very graphic and just liked being shocking. Was this marketed as soft-core erotica? Did women read this? I just don't get it. Seemed like a Sex in the City...more
I just didn't find Belle very likable, and the whole thing just seemed annoying. The sex was either very vague or very graphic and just liked being shocking. Was this marketed as soft-core erotica? Did women read this? I just don't get it. Seemed like a Sex in the City...more
Quand j’ai su que la série télévisée du même nom était tirée d’un livre, j’ai su qu’il me le fallait. Je suis tombée dessus complètement par hasard au salon du livre et je n’ai même pas eu le temps d’hésiter qu’il faisait déjà parti de mes achats !
Le premier point qui saute aux yeux (ou plutôt aux doigts… Sans mauvais jeu de mot) est la matière de la couverture. Alors, c’est joli, agréable au touché et doux mais, si jamais un jour vous avez expressément besoin des empreintes digitales de quelq...more
Le premier point qui saute aux yeux (ou plutôt aux doigts… Sans mauvais jeu de mot) est la matière de la couverture. Alors, c’est joli, agréable au touché et doux mais, si jamais un jour vous avez expressément besoin des empreintes digitales de quelq...more
I can't lie - I liked this book. It doesn't tell you about infinite love, but the thing that surprised me the most was that the heroine wasn't completely desperate to sex: she still had lovein her heart. According to her descriptions of the world, unconditional love to this world. She has sense of humour, she reads a lot, she has and education - and this is the thing, that breaks every stereotype about a call girl. We expect them to be feelingless and horny, instead she is feelingfull and simply...more
Yeah, obviously that's a nomme de plume. I had such high hopes that this would be interesting book, but alas it's pretty much like reading somebody's blog. Very choppy. There IS some interesting insight, but you have to skip over a lot of blathering. Also, she names her 5 male friends A1, A2, A3, A4, and N. It would have made for SUCH better reading if she had given them actual names (espescially the A's since I really couldn't keep them straight the way I could if she'd called them Anthony, Art...more
I was originally going to just give this stars and move one, but after reading several of the reviews I feel the book deserves to be defended.
It seems a great number of people picked this up expecting it to be a filthy book of perverse pleasure or a justification of prostitution. While there are some hot, juicy scenes, the book is about more than sex. It is also about more than prostitution. It is about Belle's life and ideas. She talks about more than her work because there is more to her than...more
It seems a great number of people picked this up expecting it to be a filthy book of perverse pleasure or a justification of prostitution. While there are some hot, juicy scenes, the book is about more than sex. It is also about more than prostitution. It is about Belle's life and ideas. She talks about more than her work because there is more to her than...more
OK, so this is a book most people might not admit to having read. I down-loaded a Kindle copy after reading an interview with the recently un-masked "anonymous" author who, as we now know, turns out to be not so much a tart-with-a-heart as a beauty with brains. The motivation for reading a book like this is probably something akin to the Victorians paying 1d to look in a "What the Butler saw.." machine on the pier. And like them - you probably don't learn much more than you already knew or guess...more
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Apr 23, 2013 10:08am