Red Velvet: Memoirs of a Working Girl

by Lisa Lou

‘This is a story about how I became a whore, how I sold myself and what I did to earn a living. I always felt compassion, even tenderness for my clients. Well, most of them anyway’. Red Velvet is the diary of former call girl Lisa Lou. Her memories are funny, raunchy, poignant and compassionate. It traces Lisa’s early experiences, from a childhood of abuse, to life as a high-class prostitute in Melbourne, Perth, Copenhagen and London. Along the way she works with gangsters, socialites and millionaires. All the fantasy and erotica of the boudoir is here – alongside the struggle for friendship, security and identity. Take a step into another world.

Genres: Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2006

Reviews

[Praj · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Red Velvet' is a poignant memoirs of an elite call girl Lisa Lou.It depicts Lisa's journey from being abused by her father in her childhood to becoming a high class prostitute.Her sexual calender further propels her in being a decorative arm candy of her wealthy lover and eventually leads into Lisa running an escort service.
Words fail me when it comes to describing the readings.Memoirs of a courtesan(escort) could not get more raw and sensuous. This book is overtly sexual, erotic and graphically mind-blowing. Absolutely delicious!!!

[courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 6 stars if it were possible, 10 even! I loved every moment of reading this and I found myself trying to savour it when I got past half way. I was thoroughly entertained through the entire read and also in awe of the way Lisa Lou describes the world. If she released a poetry book i'd buy it in a heartbeat, this memoir was basically poetry. I disagree wholeheartedly with the reviews saying shes a bad writer or that the memoir is boring after half way, this is now going on my list of favourites. I adore the straight forwardness of this book and the wonderful descriptions of even the smallest moments. I hope you're doing well Lisa, wherever you are today.

[Ginger Zephyr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I try not to DNF sw memoirs but I couldn't make it past the first twenty pages of this book. The flow of sentence structure in paragraphs was jarring, and words were repeated close to each other. I feel as though this book (and Lisa's story) deserved a lot better, but the editing was unfortunately very poor.

[Naomi Phung · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 - Very interesting memoir and very good writing.

I found the stories by the author to be very interesting. But the last 50 pages just dragged on. I'm glad her ending was happy though and I wish more people know about this book. It's quite good.

I probably would read it again.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, it satisfied my curiosity on the life of a working girl. It's so opposite to my own lifestyle that I sometimes cannot comprehend how you get yourself into such a situation, but hearing this woman's story was amazing. This woman was an intelligent, educated mother who did what she needed to do to get by and I guess it also shows that you can't really stereotype who works in these types of industries. I found it really interesting and sad at the same time. I closed the book hoping that this lady was living much happier times now than when the book was being written.

[Kathy Duey]

At first it was really interesting but somehow right after the middle part of the book it got so monotonous that i just have to finish to know if she did have a happy ending bec. I have to. It was very descriptive and poignant experiences from past clientele, the author's views are honest and very raw... Yet i must say i did finished it and wasn't appeased about whatever happened after Mr. Red?

[Matt Fraser · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd give it 2 stars if it didnt have so many spelling/gramatical errors through it.

Complete shit.

Read all of it though.....