Belinda (1986)

This is my third or fourth time reading Belinda. I first read it when I was about 14 -when I was younger than Belinda herself! - and then again in college, and it's always been a guilty pleasure. Enjoyable, gripping and even pseudo-intellectual.

That said, reading a love story between a 16 yr old and 44 yr old as a 27 year old feels very different. I'm definitely a little more skeptical and leery about the whole thing now.

But I still can't put it down! ( )

This is my third or fourth time reading Belinda. I first read it when I was about 14 -when I was younger than Belinda herself! - and then again in college, and it's always been a guilty pleasure. Enjoyable, gripping and even pseudo-intellectual.

That said, reading a love story between a 16 yr old and 44 yr old as a 27 year old feels very different. I'm definitely a little more skeptical and leery about the whole thing now.

But I still can't put it down! ( )

Yes, this book has an unbelievable storyline (attractive author begins a sexual relationship with a troubled teenage girl).

Yes, it has a very dramatic ending.

Yes, there are erotic elements (although pretty tame for Anne Rice).

But I couldn't stop reading it. I guess every once in a while you just need a trashy (although still well-written) read. I'm not ashamed of liking it, and you shouldn't be either! ( )

What starts promising as the journey into the sick relationship of a pedophile artist for his muse Belinda, ends up miserably in a terrifingly boring story, closer to soap operas and tv-series script than a work on literature. Even the attempt of creating a blackmailing stall, a situation in which everyone is dependable on everyone is simply silly. This book will burn at Fahrenheit 451. ( )

Captivating, not as erotic as I had expected. Is that due to the fact that we have so much thrust in front of us at this day and time with television and the internet? Charming story of love, full of mystery and deception. Simply stated - loved it. ( )