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Concertina: The Life And Loves Of A Dominatrix
'Concertina' is a memoir of a young woman's experiences working as a professional chef and dominatrix - her passions, loves, thoughts and feelings.
Hardcover
First published February 5, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 2, 2008
I purchased this book based on an intriguing review from Publisher's Weekly. I was prepared for sexually explicit material, but I found Winemaker's writing, particularly when it came to her clients' sessions, repetitive and overly produced for shock value. Her descriptions in other areas of her life, which were based on her being what she refers to as a "chef," and the smidgen of daily life that she shares with her readers felt contrived. The sensual nature of food and her no-holds-barred writing of her dominatrix career--yes, based on my impressions from her writing I would label her being a dominatrix as a "career"--were used as a tool for comparison, but I never bought her passion for cooking. Winemaker didn't answer many questions I had about her personal story, including her extremely self-destructive personality, which strongly influenced all of her relationships. I'm surprised I actually finished reading this book. By the end I felt that it hadn’t been worth my time.
May 28, 2007
Fascinating book! But, um, you have to be prepared for the contents.
Especially in the first half, although there are plenty of descriptions in the second too. Ms. Winemaker tells exactly what happened, what her clients' wishes and fetishes and needs were, and how she fulfilled them.
You definitely have to read it in the right frame of mind, in the right setting, surrounded by the right people (or perhaps with nobody around who might be reading over your shoulder).
The interesting thing is that Ms. Winemaker, as well as having been a Dominatrix, is a trained chef. So she interweaves the accounts of events in the dungeon with thoughts and tales of cooking. She sees planning creative and sensual meals as being parallel with the creativity she needed to bring to her clients' fantasies.
I found that this approach made me think of both things very differently: I thought more about the sensuality of food, and more about the creativity of the dungeon.
What I couldn't figure out was why she then brought in a music theme, in the title and in the occasional reference in the book. All of the music references seemed forced and superfluous; Winemaker already had the motif she needed as she coupled sexual and culinary fantasy.
That's the only quibble I had, though. I'm very glad that Ms. Winemaker has provided a glimpse into the actual goings-on in the world of the Dominatrix. I'm quite glad I got the book.
Especially in the first half, although there are plenty of descriptions in the second too. Ms. Winemaker tells exactly what happened, what her clients' wishes and fetishes and needs were, and how she fulfilled them.
You definitely have to read it in the right frame of mind, in the right setting, surrounded by the right people (or perhaps with nobody around who might be reading over your shoulder).
The interesting thing is that Ms. Winemaker, as well as having been a Dominatrix, is a trained chef. So she interweaves the accounts of events in the dungeon with thoughts and tales of cooking. She sees planning creative and sensual meals as being parallel with the creativity she needed to bring to her clients' fantasies.
I found that this approach made me think of both things very differently: I thought more about the sensuality of food, and more about the creativity of the dungeon.
What I couldn't figure out was why she then brought in a music theme, in the title and in the occasional reference in the book. All of the music references seemed forced and superfluous; Winemaker already had the motif she needed as she coupled sexual and culinary fantasy.
That's the only quibble I had, though. I'm very glad that Ms. Winemaker has provided a glimpse into the actual goings-on in the world of the Dominatrix. I'm quite glad I got the book.
August 21, 2009
This book was so surprising to me and I found myself constantly trying to bend the pages toward me while reading on the subway because the things she does are CRAZY to me (and thereby fascinating) and I didn't want people overlooking to read it! It was mostly enjoyable because the things she does as a dominatrix was so shocking to me that I wanted to read about other things she did, not because she's a particularly great writer. It was also an added benefit to the book that she's a chef from Toronto.
Pick it up if you want a little bit of a naughty read, but not if you are looking for wonderful literature! ha ha.
Pick it up if you want a little bit of a naughty read, but not if you are looking for wonderful literature! ha ha.
June 6, 2011
interesting and very frank account of how a very talented young chef changed her life by swapping the kitchen for the dungeon. Susan comes across very honest and doesn't appear to over glamorise or talk up her experiences like you might expect. theres not a hint of "look at me, I'm dead dirty, arn't I crazy", just a simple matter of fact account of her experiences in a side of life very few of us will experience.
October 1, 2014
A rather dry read, which is surprising considering the subject. The authors voice was far too self-indulgent and meandering for my taste, and I felt the book lacked a coherent narrative. While the glimpses into the less glamorous side of the job were interesting, much of the storytelling was repetitive and dull. The labored food metaphors also became very trying quite quickly.
January 14, 2018
I was having mixed thoughts about reading this after having seen lots of really varied reviews, but upon gazing on my bookshelf, wondering what to read next, I remember how intruiged I was when I found this cute little hardback book in tesco many moons ago, so I wiped off the dust and decided to give it ago. I actually found this a really pleasant read, nice descriptions of food, the different scenerios in the dungeon and in the bedroom, this book was really well written, often thought provoking. Some of the relationship traumas did remind me a little of some of my past experiences but all in a good way, didn't bring back any bad memories, and also gave me some cooking ideas. All in all this is a good back, glad I got round to eventually reading it after looking at for some many years.
June 20, 2017
This book was recommended to me, perhaps one I wouldn't have picked up myself but one I appreciated checking out.
The story is quite interesting with the development of the main character as she gets more and more into the life of a dominatrix. The life isn't as "sexy" and "heated" as you may think, as there's many inner workings at play when she sees her clients (many of which have a lot of other internal strife going on with them).
I really enjoyed all the comparisons to her former career choices as a chef. Excellent writing.
Not a book for a the conservative mindset, which hopefully goes without saying in the title.
The story is quite interesting with the development of the main character as she gets more and more into the life of a dominatrix. The life isn't as "sexy" and "heated" as you may think, as there's many inner workings at play when she sees her clients (many of which have a lot of other internal strife going on with them).
I really enjoyed all the comparisons to her former career choices as a chef. Excellent writing.
Not a book for a the conservative mindset, which hopefully goes without saying in the title.
February 24, 2025
Reading this off the back of Butter was interesting because I randomly pulled it out of my stack but I feel there are some parallels occurring.
Generally, the characters and world is interesting, there could have been more cooking elements and I agree with other reviews that there is a lot just for chock value.
Something is missing in the relationship and love elements of the book, I won't spoil too much but this is somewhat disappointing. Something is missing. Characters are brought in too close to the end to care about them, the wrap up feels particularly messy and that's a major part of the downfall for me.
It was okay. Don't read it in public 😂
Generally, the characters and world is interesting, there could have been more cooking elements and I agree with other reviews that there is a lot just for chock value.
Something is missing in the relationship and love elements of the book, I won't spoil too much but this is somewhat disappointing. Something is missing. Characters are brought in too close to the end to care about them, the wrap up feels particularly messy and that's a major part of the downfall for me.
It was okay. Don't read it in public 😂
February 22, 2022
I never thought I would be bored reading a book about a dominatrix but I found myself zoning out several times during this book. There are so many descriptions about food, how to cook certain foods, foods she wanted to eat, foods she had served as a chef.... It felt at times more a memoir of a chef, rather than a dominatrix.
For a memoir Winemaker didn't reveal a lot about herself and so I couldn't really like her or care enough about where the story was going. I did find the insights into the world of a dominatrix interesting; I just felt it was let down by the writing.
For a memoir Winemaker didn't reveal a lot about herself and so I couldn't really like her or care enough about where the story was going. I did find the insights into the world of a dominatrix interesting; I just felt it was let down by the writing.
April 18, 2021
The way in which she describes food so sensually is at odds with how she refers to her clients sessions and even her own private life. Very repetitive. Some parts don't correspond with the rest of the story, not quite sure what she was trying to do, the Scotland part for example. Was a chore to finish.
April 20, 2025
I blame wrong expectations - I was led to believe this was a memoir from the seventies. It is not.
I was hoping for some historical perspective.
The foodie part of the book was intriguing.
The Dominatrix memoir less so.
The POV was one sided as memoir should be but the theme was presented in such un impersonal way I just could not appreciate it...
I was hoping for some historical perspective.
The foodie part of the book was intriguing.
The Dominatrix memoir less so.
The POV was one sided as memoir should be but the theme was presented in such un impersonal way I just could not appreciate it...
October 3, 2022
Es wird zum Ende hin immer besser , die Dynamik zwischen Adam + der Protagonistin gefällt mir sehr gut . Das Ende ist unerwartet+ die Charaktere gewinnen an Verletzlichkeit . Es ist durch die Parallele zum Kochen , welches auch die Gelüste stillt, interessant umschrieben. Auf Englisch gelesen.
March 12, 2020
A book with so little charisma that even the sex scenes are boring.
August 31, 2023
Dreadful book, a waste of time!
March 7, 2017
The way that food is described in this book is written with the same intensity as the sex scenes are.
Freaking fabulous.
Freaking fabulous.
May 25, 2011
I was well satisfied by this interesting, well-written book, and I expect I'll read it again. There is plenty of detail to assuage the curiosity of anyone who has ever wondered what the working life of a dominatrix is like, and the author is forthcoming enough that the unlikely arc of her journey through London chef to professional dominatrix to a personal relationship with a client makes sense. The writing is always clear, with a few passages that were beautifully, even poetically described. People who want to read a kinky tell-all won't be disappointed; but what makes this book truly memorable is the transparency and artistry of the author. I will certainly read any of her future work, even without saucy content.
November 3, 2024
A surprisingly dry read given its context - halfway in I found myself speed reading so I could get to a significant plot point and finish the book faster. It seemed to drag on forever, and the author’s voice can become too twee and mellow at times, which becomes tiring.
It’s a repetitive book, however it’s a very interesting insight into the world of domination - the bits that fascinated me the most were the ones describing the author’s poetic perspective and romanticised feelings when it comes to her work as a dominatrix.
It’s a repetitive book, however it’s a very interesting insight into the world of domination - the bits that fascinated me the most were the ones describing the author’s poetic perspective and romanticised feelings when it comes to her work as a dominatrix.
April 27, 2009
I was really excited to read this book.
Then I actually read it. Who ever thought that a writer could taken being a dominatrix and then bored me to tears with it?
Boring, confusing narratives, and an author who is weak and not sympathetic to listen to.
Not worth your time. Read Belle de Jour's book instead she covers some dominatrix stuff in the first one and that one chapter is miles more exciting than this whole book.
Then I actually read it. Who ever thought that a writer could taken being a dominatrix and then bored me to tears with it?
Boring, confusing narratives, and an author who is weak and not sympathetic to listen to.
Not worth your time. Read Belle de Jour's book instead she covers some dominatrix stuff in the first one and that one chapter is miles more exciting than this whole book.
July 22, 2012
Dreadful book which reads more like a recipe book than one about domination and BDSM. The author must be a chef or wish to be one as her food descriptions are much more memorable than any of the domination stuff within. She pretends to be mistress to a client but is probably more demanding and subby than he is. Terrible waste of time reading it. Skimmed the last part just to make it thru to the end and it got no better
August 12, 2015
I picked this up because I was interested to know what goes on in a dominatrix setting. Media does make it sound quite exciting. The reality not so much. I never realised there was so much rectal exploration that goes on. I feel as if I was there with her at that time in her life thanks to my brilliant imagination. I have not been missing anything, apart from maybe the money, we could all do with the money! I got bored quickly and only finished the book to find out what happened with Adam.
November 29, 2013
It was alright. Very soft though. I was expecting something more marking, but it was very passive. It's quite romantic and even though the protagonist is a dominatrix, she still has that innocent and fragile side that kind of didn't woo me. It was alright, but I only finished it because I wanted to know what happened with Adam.
March 2, 2010
Probably the most well-written book about sex and food that I've encountered.
February 19, 2012
Fascinating. Felt true to life, I could relate to her.
October 19, 2014
A Montrealer moves to London and becomes a dominatrix. Kinky, thoughtful, smart and moving.
June 13, 2021
Maiku:
Evokes tastes and smells
as chef, then dominatrix;
intriguing memoir.
Evokes tastes and smells
as chef, then dominatrix;
intriguing memoir.
April 18, 2017
Fascinating memoir that reveals the inside world of professional domination. Winemake doesn't hold back in telling her story and some of the descriptions of her domination sessions are not for the faint of heart!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews