Not For the Faint of Heart - First Time by Sibylline Review
Well, perhaps fittingly given the subject matter, First Time by Sibylline is actually a first for Not For the Faint of Heart, marking the first time that I will be reviewing an non-manga erotica, published by the appropriately named Eurotica. And, I must say, this book does not disappoint. A collection of sexual short stories centered around the idea of first times, writer Sibylline teams up with various artists to provide an interesting and perhaps surprisingly literary look at sex and sexuality in all its assorted tastes. And while perhaps not especially arousing in every case, this definitely attempts to paint an in depth (teehee) and coherent picture of the sexual landscape.
This is, then, a somewhat denser and more artistically complicated book than most of the ones that I have looked at in this series, and I must say that it's not a bad thing. While most of the time I am looking for good art and good stories, this offers something different, which is a glimpse at sex that is not really pornographic as it is examining the ways in which people have sex and value sex. Though the various short stories the author toys (teeheehee) with sexual morality while basically concluding that what is wrong for some might be right (oh, so right) to others. It attempts, in its own way, to bring sex into the open, not as something to be ashamed of or squeamish about but something to discus openly and without reservation.
The fact that the author pairs with an assortment of artists also makes for an interesting collection, because each story has its own flavor, its own look and feel. And, mostly, this works quite well, showcasing a multitude of talents just as it is showcasing a multitude of sexualities. It works especially well with the theme that it explores, the idea of difference and preference and expression. For me to say that any artist failed would be to miss the point, I guess, and while I did find some of the stories harder to understand visually, I can see the point, can see the message that while there will invariable be some things that any one person is uncomfortable with personally, it doesn't make the thing itself wrong or bad.
And that is, in the end, where I am left, to feel that after the stories that the main idea being presented is that sex is another means of expression, another kind of art form. And while there are certain forms of art that I don't find appealing, it doesn't make them less valid or lesser. It's a good message, something that a lot of people need to learn, because sex does seem to be something that isn't much talked about in society, a very large taboo still. And while this did not include an exhaustive number of sexual preferences (with the obvious exclusion of male-male relationships), those that were shown were done rather well. As said, though, this isn't always the most erotic of works, though it is explicit. It's done in a more artistic, complicated way, which makes it interesting but quite as fun in places as it could be. Still, an excellent book and worthy of an 8.5/10.