Carrie's Story - erotic fiction by Cleis Press Inc. - review by Red

Molly Weatherfield is the pen name of the author Pam Rosenthal. In addition to Carrie's Story, Molly Weatherfield wrote the sequel (Safe Word) as well. Pam has written a plethora of other bodice-ripping type romance novels, but it appears she has reserved the "Molly Weatherfield" moniker for the kinky stuff. Her writing style is engaging and over-the-top descriptive, and in this case that description is focused on the the internal dialog of the heroine (Carrie) of the tale.

Carrie's Story is an erotic fiction piece about a woman's journey into the world of BDSM - in particular, Carrie 'becomes' a slave sold at auction over the course of the year (year and a half?) described in this book, going from an innocent (albeit intensely intellectually opinionated) college student to a deeply submissive piece of personal property. Weatherfield creates an excellent 'snapshot' of this particular slice of the BDSM world, where slave auctions (and the pursuit of all things involved therein) define a special world within which strict protocol is observed. Business and pleasure are mixed up to define a sort of 'business of pleasure' in a fascinatingly complicated world.

What I particularly liked about this book was the fact that Carrie's internal dialog is so artfully described. Her feelings about her journey are really at the forefront through the entire novel, and the author paints a fantastic picture of what that journey might *feel* like. Interestingly, however, these descriptions stay very cerebral and analytical about the journey into submission and ultimately slavery, and speak very little about the eroticism of it all. There are no deep investigations into the eroticism of pain - I daresay, there is more description of Carrie's Master's sadism than of her masochism. And there is very little juicy sex described, despite some smolderingly hot situations that come up. So in many senses, this is very much so a romance novel, describing Carrie's romance with slavery first and foremost.

This novel is really targeted towards women (the way romance novels traditionally are) who like a little kink with their sexyness, but its scope encompasses anyone looking for a good kinky fairytale and also specifically to couples looking for a delicious bedtime read. Don't look to this book for over the top sex descriptions but do expect to come through it aroused by a thousand and one amazingly described mental images of hotness.

I do wish that the cover of this book had not been so racy (shows the lovely behind of a woman on her knees) because there's no other reason it wouldn't be a good beach/pool/commute book. As is, however, its more an in-private read. However, it is a great read and quite a page turner and also extremely fast to get through.

While the book is very good at being clear about all this slavery stuff being extremely consensual, it diverges from reality over and over again in the realms of safe sex practices and hygiene. While I get that this is fantasy, I still cannot help but cringe at the idea of (for example) a mud wrestling fisting. Soil bacteria is just not vagina friendly! And don't get me started on the endless rough, unlubricated, unprotected, multi-partnered anal sex...

I really enjoyed this book and consumed it in one reading-frenzy evening. I will be seeking out the sequel!