Fetish: Fashion, Sex & Power explores the link between fashion and the expression of sexuality—not only sexual behavior, but also gender identity....moreFetish: Fashion, Sex & Power explores the link between fashion and the expression of sexuality—not only sexual behavior, but also gender identity.
The 19th century sexologist Richard Von Krafft-Ebing defined fetishism as “the association of lust with the idea of certain portions of female person, or with certain articles of female attire.” Rejecting the idea that only men can have fetishes, Steele believes that fetishism is best understood on a continuum: from a slight preference for certain kinds of partners, sexual stimuli, or sexual activity, all the way to specific stimuli being strictly necessary for arousal and even taking the place of a sex partner.
Steele begins by explaining the why of fetishes; she looks at fetishes from a Freudian, Foucaultian, Darwinian, and neurobiological perspective, though none are individually satisfying. And even after synthesizing these views, the big-picture that she gives feels incomplete. Sexual arousal is subtle and hard to entirely capture with a handful of broad ideological frameworks. Steele is much stronger when analyzing the appeal of specific fetishes, she explores the particular appeal of corsets, leather, high-heels, rubber, fur, and more. For example, she explains how specific clothing items can signify different things to their wearers. While noting that the corset “exaggerates the hourglass shape that attracts many heterosexual men,” she keenly observes that “the dominatrix wears her corset as armor, its extreme and rigid curvature the ultimate sexual taunt at the slave who may look but not touch.” Steele sees that in contrast, for the slave, the corset signifies and enforces a sense of discipline and bondage, and in the case of male slaves, a desire to toy around with gender identity.
However, Steele does not merely explain why specific people like certain fetishes, she also deeply explores the historical context and cultural significance of specific fetishes. For example, Steele provides an extended history and analysis of the appropriation of leather by the mainstream fashion community and how people with a leather fetish reacted to this. Or, when exploring why feet and shoes play such an important role in the erotic imagination, Steele takes us all the way to Renaissance Venice and Sung Dynasty China.
If you are at all interested in the relationship between fashion and kink, and how fetishized items trickle into mainstream fashion, this is a book for you. It is historically and philosophically rich and is packed with fun and lurid photographs for either your kinky or educational pleasure.(less)
A smarting collection composed of twenty-three stories, each by a different author, Cheeky Spanking Stories offers a variety of diverse stories, even...moreA smarting collection composed of twenty-three stories, each by a different author, Cheeky Spanking Stories offers a variety of diverse stories, even though they all center around the same act of spankings, either as punishment or given as a gift. Though some of the pairings feature the typical heterosexual model with the male partner being the spanker, there are also stories that include the woman spanking, multiple people involved, and three stories with just women. In general, the characters vary between college-aged and older individuals, queer and straight, and partners and new acquaintances. Unfortunately, as varied as the stories are, there are no stories solely composed of two men. Also, as this is erotica, all of the spankings are sexualized.
Most of these stories focus more on the woman’s point of view, which may be a turnoff for some readers. A few of the stories describe the characters’ appearance, but most do not, and allow for fantasizing about one’s ideal partner(s). While these stories range from being pretty unbelievable to completely realistic, it is refreshing to see safe words mentioned—and used—in erotica along with condoms. As for spanking implements, hands show up most often, but there are also paddles, floggers, a whip, and a cane. For perspective, a few of these stories are written in the second-person so you can insert yourself to the story, though most of them are written in third-person. The stories are fairly quick to read, and are on average nine pages, making them perfect for a little break. Though all the stories can be read together in one go, given all the authors’ different tones, one may enjoy the stories more on their own.
Rachel Kramer Bussel also edited Spanked, another anthology of spanking stories. Cheeky Spanking Stories is a shade darker than Spanked with touches of verbal humiliation in some stories, and though it’s not always as realistic, I found it to be a more diverse and interesting collection. I would recommend Cheeky Spanking Stories to anyone from those newly intrigued by the idea of spanking to those that have worn out their spanking imagination.(less)
“Will he stay quiet? Or can I break the noise from him?” – Shanna Germain, “Perfect Bound”
This collection is composed of twenty short stories, averagi...more“Will he stay quiet? Or can I break the noise from him?” – Shanna Germain, “Perfect Bound”
This collection is composed of twenty short stories, averaging nine pages each, written by different authors, including Elizabeth Coldwell, Thomas Roche, Alison Tyler, and Sage Vivant.
Each of the stories are set up rather differently, not only managing to keep the reader’s interest, but also making it possible to read multiple stories in one sitting. Ranging from kidnap play, to meeting with a past bully, to simply punishing a naughty lover, the stories tend to be on the lighter side of kinkiness, though the closing story is heavier because of mental play. While most of the stories center on a male-female couple, the partner of either gender could be the top. Two stories have central female-female pairings, and there are some groups with mixed genders. The anthology itself is put together well in terms of story quality and variety.
I thought the stories were just long enough to tantalize with some gripping plot, yet short enough so the actions didn’t become repetitive or dull. The stories all felt very realistic and plausible, and seemed to tap into the emotions of the characters. Not only did the stories vividly describe the spankings themselves, but they also delved deeply into the relationship between the participants.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in or turned-on by light kink.(less)
Story of O is a fictional novel following the female protagonist, O, in her submission to her lover. Throughout the novel, O’s consent is asked for, t...moreStory of O is a fictional novel following the female protagonist, O, in her submission to her lover. Throughout the novel, O’s consent is asked for, though there are situations of potentially dubious consent featuring other characters. The reader sees O blindfolded, whipped, chained, pierced, branded, masked, and trained to always be available for any type of intercourse with anyone approved by her lover. Additionally, the reader sees O proudly showing off her welts, branding, and piercings to her female lover.
Trained at the chateau of Roissy by a group of upper-class men, O did not know what her lover had or had not done when she was whipped and taken as was frequently blindfolded or partnered with men wearing masks. At the end of this training, her lover gives her to a more dominant master: Sir Stephen. Her lover claims that it is very important for O to learn how to serve someone she does not love, and who does not love her. However, as the training progresses, O falls in love with Sir Stephen, and she is under the impression that he loves her as well. O chooses to remain with Sir Stephen instead of her lover, and is branded and pierced with his initials and crest.
There has been some feminist backlash against this novel. Andrea Dworkin, for example, argues that having the protagonist’s name shortened to O represents her being zero, empty, and nothing more than an orifice. It has also been argued that the novel is just about the ultimate objectification of the female, and that it glorifies the abuse of women.
In this light, the character of O does delineate being submissive as a person from being submissive in a sexual context. We do, however briefly, see her life in the outside world as a successful photographer. Furthermore, I think it is useful to keep in mind that Réage wrote this as a series of fantasy letters to her lover, a de Sade fan.
I would not recommend this to anyone uncomfortable with mixing pain and pleasure; otherwise, it’s an interesting fantasy.(less)
Different Loving provides an in depth understanding of the BDSM culture. It effectively describes the multifaceted world of sexual dominance and submi...moreDifferent Loving provides an in depth understanding of the BDSM culture. It effectively describes the multifaceted world of sexual dominance and submission through interviews of people who identify as being in the Scene. Along with the first-hand accounts of the lifestyle, the author details situations—where it is psychological or physical attraction—that draw people to the BDSM culture.
This book uses a method of explaining BDSM that allows even the non-Scene readers to be able to identify with the natural human physical and psychological needs that present themselves in the Scene. This method creates an inclusive environment for all where mainstream rumors and ideas would seclude and isolate BDSM lovers.
Different Loving is an excellent introduction into the BDSM world as well as an ambiguous user-friendly guide.(less)
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