The Stranger Inside

by Red Symons, Jean Bedford (Contributor), Mark Henshaw (Contributor)

Promising I would keep their identities secret forever, I solicited some of Australia’s leading writers to join me in a serial erotic novel, a filthy book. The terrible ten, five women and five men, would each contribute a chapter of uninhabited sexual activity.
There were few rules: each player of this seductive game was to introduces a character who would then be handed over to another writer. None of us would know what had been done to the character we received, or what might happen to the one we gave away. In return, we could do anything imaginable to the person now in our possession. We could have our way with them. We would be free to flaunt our most outrageous fantasies in public, safe in the knowledge that you, the reader, could never be sure just who was responsible. To you we are now the strangers inside...

Red Symons

Genres: Short Stories

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talking about this book as a reader, a watcher of Australian culture - I read this book because of what it is. It's a collection of short stories written by serious Australian writers and media people, according to a very specific format dealing with very specific subject matter organized by Red Symons, who I find fascinating in his own right (quite like him, his courage mainly), I knew, when I picked it up at a LifeLine BookFair, that if I did not take it home and read it I would always regret it and I would also, fairly certainly, never find it again. What it is, is a selection of short stories, erotically based, each written by the following people - Jean Bedford, Jennifer Byrne, Bryce Courtenay, Peter Goldsworthy, Gwen Harwood, Mark Henshaw, Gabrielle Lord, Steve J. Spears, Red Symons, Lee Tulloch - and the following bit is taken from the backcover:

'each player of this seductive game was to introduce a character who would then be handed over to another writer. None of us would know what had been done to the character we received, or what might happen to the one we gave away. In return, we could do anything imaginable to the person now in our posession. We could have our way with them. We could be free to flaunt out most outrageous fantasies in public, safe in the knowledge that you, the reader, could never be sure just who was responsible.'

Please let it not be just me that could not let this one pass. After reading it - its interest really stops there - just with seeing what would come out of such an exercise. Those who enjoys reading erotica would find it pleasing and, of course, really well written - but its not my thing so it didn't. I am, however, really, really curious as to who wrote what, given that all these writers are ones I am familiar with and have loved reading. I also understand however why such an exercise as this would have to guarantee anonymity. I think it is very brave and adventurous of all those who wrote to respond to Red Symon's invitation - and as far as Red Symons goes? .. well, no-one else could have pulled it off. :)

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star is too much. Unmitigated piffle from writers who really ought to have known better. Sorry, Red, I love you dearly, but not this way.

[Trish Goodgame · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not particularly enthralled by this serial erotic novel, a filthy book. Not my thing really.

Each of 10 Australian authors were to contribute a chapter of uninhabited (?) sexual activity. There were few rules: each player of this seductive game was to introduce a character who would then be handed over to another writer. No one knew what any others had written.

Authors: Red Symons, Jean Bedford, Jennifer Byrne, Bryce Courtenay, Peter Goldsworthy, Gwen Harwood, Mark Henshaw, Gabrielle Lord, Steve J. Spears, Lee Tulloch

[Greg James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great concept, didn’t click! I’ve read better erotica correcting year 10 short stories in high school ! Bryce Courtney was clearly to blame, Redmond.