Pam Rosenthal

It seems to me that the antagonist in this book is the patriarchy (particularly but not only as internalized by the male lead), and I dig that. I also (relatedly, of course) enjoy that the two characters' separate sexual pasts--even during their marriage and estrangement--is not imagined as the problem here; what needs to be overcome before they can be happy and healthy together is a bunch of wrong understandings, miscalculations of priorities and desires and of what gentlemen and ladies show more want/do/are, ill-advised clinging to pride instead of rueful acknowledgement of really terrible mistakes in youth. It's lovely to see two interesting, curious, complicated humans figure out how to let go of the facades and enjoy each other / themselves in a real way.

The background of family affections and annoyances (especially the world of Mary and her sisters and their families), childhood spaces, and politics at a time of great cultural upheaval also lends depth and sense to the changes Mary and Kit are able to make in their romantic relationship. show less

I read very little erotic fiction, but the description of this one sounded interesting – a submissive woman is consensually auctioned off for a year of service – so I gave it a try. SAFE WORD is the sequel to CARRIE’S STORY (a book I have not read) but despite that, I at no time felt lost as to what had gone before, though I suspect that CARRIE’S STORY would have added some depth to the relationships in SAFE WORD.

Minor plot spoilers follow.

A young woman named Carrie, who is a devoted show more lifestyle submissive, has fallen in love with a man named Jonathan, whom she has served as a slave. He is a member of an international organization of wealthy individuals who lead lives filled with the elaborate rituals and sexual practices of BDSM. The pair agree that Jonathan will auction Carrie off to the highest bidder for a year’s term of service (and more advanced training as a slave and ponygirl), with the understanding that at the end of the year, they will meet again and see where to take their relationship. SAFE WORD is the recounting of what happened to Carrie and Jonathan during that year they were apart. Jonathan engaged in other relationships with both men and women, including a woman from his past (Kate, a professional dominatrix), who came to play an increasingly important role in Jonathan’s life. Carrie was purchased by the wealthy businessman Mr. Constant, and was trained as a ponygirl in Greece. At one point during the novel or another, all possible gender and sex roles are explored (male and female dominants, male and female submissives).

I recommend SAFE WORD with a few caveats. First, this is not a “beginner level” book about BDSM, nor is it the first book that a fan of, say, the FIFTY SHADES series, should read next. It involves a deep look at a fairly extreme form of lifestyle BDSM activities, including some dehumanizing activities that may not be to all readers' tastes. (I hasten to add that at no point does SAFE WORD involve violence or non-consensuality.) Second, I would say that enjoying SAFE WORD requires at least some level of interest in ponygirl play. That’s not the sole kind of erotic activity that goes on in the novel, but it’s an important one. If you aren’t at least curious about that, much of this book would not be of interest. And third, while it is undoubtedly an erotic novel that includes explicit sex scenes, it does not contain non-stop depictions of sex. There is, dare I say it, a plot. If that’s not of interest, SAFE WORD may not contain enough sex for your liking. With all that having been said, Molly Weatherfield is a strong writer. She has talent, and if you enjoy the topics of her prose, I think you’d find something to like here. Weatherfield’s ending to SAFE WORD – I will not spoil that for you – was an unexpected and, upon further reflection, a brave choice. This was not the ending I had expected. Some may find it disappointing, though I found Weatherfield’s choice refreshing.

Review copyright © 2013 J. Andrew Byers show less

Before there was Anastasia, there was Carrie...

Molly Weatherfield's infamous, haunting, and time-revered S/m novel has recently received a makeover! This new Cleis Press reissue has a fabulous foreword by Tristan Taormino, as well as a gorgeous public transportation-friendly cover.

You think Fifty Shades kickstarted the contemporary scene's BDSM obsession? Think again; Carrie's Story came first.

It's been nearly two years since I first read and reviewed Weatherfield's 1995 classic, so it was show more rather sinfully nostalgic coming back. Carrie's Story is the first BDSM novel I ever read—my initiator, you could say—and it was probably the best-written, most tragic breaking-into I could have possibly asked for. Since then, I guess my taste in erotica has been de-virginized (...deflowered? ...done in the ass?). I remember when just looking at the old cover made me queasy, and the concept of whipping and caning itself made me sick to the stomach. Since then, I've made progress, so rereading this neo-Victorian love story was interesting, to say the least.

When it comes to erotica, especially when it's as hardcore as this, the mainstream is too scared—too polite—to really give it a chance. The seediness, the raunch, the explosive, completely intentional sex—it certainly can be a little daunting. But I think Carrie's Story is exactly the type of book that could quell those fears, bridging the vanilla to the... rocky road, shall we call it?

Aside from containing some of stormiest sex scenes I've read in literature (there's no steamy or sizzling here; it's all temper, passion, and of course, pain—both physical and emotional), books like Carrie's Story are so valuable because of the emotional resonance they convey. The helplessness of a love so strong, it will slowly disintegrate if left alone, is perfectly woven through shameless romps of wicked sex. Weatherfield's compelling, absorbing prose wraps readers up into a chilling, powerful narrative that reads like the wisps of a sensual dream, and the plot, in the end, leaves readers aching. At once an emotional ride and an undisciplined frolic in the dark and complex world of BDSM, Carrie's Story combines all the naughty bits—all the chocolate, marshmallow, and of course, nuts—into a relatable, tender love story.

And just to assuage you vanilla folk, I'll end with this: Carrie's Story is like designer-brand erotica; you won't find anything better-written or more intelligent in the genre. It's lyrical, and even its most explicit of passages are tasteful... well, as tasteful as human ponies and sex slaves get. But let's give credit where it's due: there's only so much dignity that one can carry while bound and gagged.

9 out of 10 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf.

Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!) show less

This book is labeled as "An Erotic S/M Novel" but it was more like an anthropological look into the world of S&M. I suspect I was awarded this ER book since I read the Shades of Grey series, which is also why I requested it, but Safe Word was completely different: the writing was much better, but the "sex" scenes were much tamer. I kept reading because it was a horrible car crash from which I couldn't look away, but I would not call this book steamy in the least. Just really didn't do it for show more me as either erotica or fiction. show less