Safe Word - erotic book by Cleis Press Inc. - review by Airlia

I have always been interested in what S/m is all about. I mean a bit of slap and tickle is always exciting, but I never truly grasped the motivations behind S/m. So when I chose Safe Word|Safe Word - an erotic sm novel, I wanted to try and understand this concept.

I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting when I decided to review this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t know much about hardcore S/m, but Safe Word seems like it would be comfortable being categorized there.

The book is really well written, and I found myself drawn into it even though I didn’t share the same views on sex. I loved the references to Sade throughout the book and how Weatherfield made the elusive world of S/m so high class and unattainable.

The book has two narrators, Jonathan and Carrie. The sequel to “The Story of O” is about Carrie’s journey learning to be a slave. I learned, through this book, that pony races are a sexual event; that they a lot of practice; that winning means getting to cum; and that being in character means completely living the role, no matter how ridiculous it was.

I read about scenes and parties where slaves got tokens based on their behavior. It was very interesting, and I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to a glimpse into what S/m is about and why it is so fascinating.

There were obviously parts of the book that got me all hot and bothered under the collar. Every time Carrie did something wrong, the consequences were very interesting. “I’m in for it, I thought. I’m going to be punished terribly for not realizing that she would want to be eaten. She was dripping onto my chin, as I carefully licked her out. I wondered if she was thinking about the ride or anticipating the punishment to come.”

I was surprised at how erotic it was when Carrie began her job as Mr Constant’s slave. The ritual had me dripping before anything even started. “'Turn around, stand up and show me your ass.’ I obeyed, bending slightly at the waist, opening for the dildo I knew was coming, shivering at its hardness, moaning at the feel of his hands on my hips as he belted it into place. He pushed me back onto my hands and knees... He picked up the whip. “Around again, he said cracking it against my ass, ‘quickly’.”

I don’t want to give away much of the novel, but it is packed with beautifully written punishments, all sorts of sex, and as many whips as your heart desires. I absolutely adored the ending, something I don’t think I could ever forget as long as I live.

After learning about (and enjoying) BDSM I have to rewrite this review.

Safe Word is a wonderful sequel to Carrie's Story. Simply put it is a novel about how a woman delves further into giving herself fully. The novel is broken into flashbacks via two narrations. Both Carrie and Jonathan have a voice in this novel, and over 5 days in Paris pour out their experiences of submissive and dominant sex of the past year of separation.

Carrie recounts a story of sex parties, pony races, and changing once again. She appears more dominant in portions and that in turn changes the balance of power with Jonathan who seems more human - more unsure of the emotions he desperately tries to reign in.

Jonathan retells of his year of debauchery, including his previous lover Kate. Reading about Jonathan I could really understand how someone can be broken emotionally; how that can be as excruciating and full of pleasure as a flogging.

Safe Word weaves a complex novel together with the most extravagant, over the top, beautifully written sex. Reading it again after I truly appreciate how pain can evoke pleasure I realise that someone who is clueless about the rituals used in this book will not fully grasp everything Weatherfield is trying to evoke.

Finally I have not read Carrie's Story yet. For those who haven't: it does not affect reading Safe Word. There are some allusions to the previous book, obviously, but it is fairly easy to grasp the concept.

After re- reading Safe Word once again and realising how much more complicated the story is I believe that someone immersed in the S/m culture will gain more from this book. That said literary fans should not bypass this book either.