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Madam
Nobody wakes up one day and thinks, 'I know, I'll run a brothel ' It was more a case of stumbling, quite by accident into the profession. Madam is a riotously funny and touching peek through the keyhole of provincial massage parlours. Becky Adams escorts you through her memoirs, from her challenging childhood to brothel keeping in Buckinghamshire. Her outrageous story is a witty and thought provoking tale of betrayal, friendship, love and loyalty. From saucy scandals and soft toys, to raids, robberies and fancy fetishes all accompanied by a nice cup of tea and a ginger nut biscuit. The truth really is stranger than fiction.
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 18, 2012
I have read alot of autobiographies in the past but this is the first one that has left me touched by the sheer determination and passion for what she wanted to do.
This amazingly powerful book is the cause of me having 2 nights of no sleep as I literally couldn't put this book down, I was completely gripped and involved as she takes you on her journey with her, back in time to her childhood, through to her teens and having her first child to her dabbles into petty crime and ending up as a single mum in a women's refuge.You enjoy her ups and many more downs as she began to see how her life was unravelling before her and wasn't going as she had envisioned.
Watching so many TV and films over my years I thought I knew roughly about the lives of madams and brothels, how wrong I was. I never dreamed it would be so hard with so many obstacles that she had to get over, from not just the authorities, but friends and family, neighbours, punters and even the girls themselves caused a certain amount of headaches for Becky.
It all started with helping a close friend of hers who became an escort and she started to run her friend to her clients to help keep her safe, after seeing what her friend went through and how the clients were treated she knew she could run an escort agency far better. Its amazing what ideas you can have over a ginger-nut and a cuppa.
I will be buying ginger-nuts on my next shop.
But most people like you and I assume running an agency or brothel is easy, just sit on the phone and partner the right girl with the right guy to match his unique kinky needs, easy eh..? Oh no after reading this book will see the difficulties she encountered.
From this moment her life changed completely and Milton Keynes didn't know what was about to hit them. It became an uphill struggle with the authorities and their ridiculous legalities, jealous competitors and even death threats and of course keeping her young excitable girls from getting them and her into more trouble. She'd play devils advocate in keeping her girls and the clients happy on a daily basis.
She has added personal photos sharing times in her life
The way Becky talks its like she's sitting right next to you, her book is easy to read and flows beautifully as you join her side by side through a rollercoaster of emotions, I laughed outloud to the point I woke my dog up and made my parrot fall off its perch. I shed tears of laughter at her wit and comedy and I also welled up at her continual fighting against the law and shocked at how close friends and employees could betray her so badly. I was shocked at how aggressive rival brothels and agencies could be, how she could be scared for her life; but I was also touched how a few close friends stood by her through thick and thin.
Becky's unique way of life caught the eye of TV producers who were quick to want her for a TV documentary series that I was lucky enough to see back in the 80's, she also appeared on The Trisha show and This morning. The British public however gave her mixed results and yet again she battled bureaucracy and the reserved snooty British public's views of the sex industry.
I dont want to give much away as you really need to read this book, I cant even begin to explain about some of the antics of Beckys kittens, Spanky the monkey, postman Pat and a Rolf Harris fetish it is far better coming from the words of Becky Adams herself.
This amazingly powerful book is the cause of me having 2 nights of no sleep as I literally couldn't put this book down, I was completely gripped and involved as she takes you on her journey with her, back in time to her childhood, through to her teens and having her first child to her dabbles into petty crime and ending up as a single mum in a women's refuge.You enjoy her ups and many more downs as she began to see how her life was unravelling before her and wasn't going as she had envisioned.
Watching so many TV and films over my years I thought I knew roughly about the lives of madams and brothels, how wrong I was. I never dreamed it would be so hard with so many obstacles that she had to get over, from not just the authorities, but friends and family, neighbours, punters and even the girls themselves caused a certain amount of headaches for Becky.
It all started with helping a close friend of hers who became an escort and she started to run her friend to her clients to help keep her safe, after seeing what her friend went through and how the clients were treated she knew she could run an escort agency far better. Its amazing what ideas you can have over a ginger-nut and a cuppa.
I will be buying ginger-nuts on my next shop.
But most people like you and I assume running an agency or brothel is easy, just sit on the phone and partner the right girl with the right guy to match his unique kinky needs, easy eh..? Oh no after reading this book will see the difficulties she encountered.
From this moment her life changed completely and Milton Keynes didn't know what was about to hit them. It became an uphill struggle with the authorities and their ridiculous legalities, jealous competitors and even death threats and of course keeping her young excitable girls from getting them and her into more trouble. She'd play devils advocate in keeping her girls and the clients happy on a daily basis.
She has added personal photos sharing times in her life
The way Becky talks its like she's sitting right next to you, her book is easy to read and flows beautifully as you join her side by side through a rollercoaster of emotions, I laughed outloud to the point I woke my dog up and made my parrot fall off its perch. I shed tears of laughter at her wit and comedy and I also welled up at her continual fighting against the law and shocked at how close friends and employees could betray her so badly. I was shocked at how aggressive rival brothels and agencies could be, how she could be scared for her life; but I was also touched how a few close friends stood by her through thick and thin.
Becky's unique way of life caught the eye of TV producers who were quick to want her for a TV documentary series that I was lucky enough to see back in the 80's, she also appeared on The Trisha show and This morning. The British public however gave her mixed results and yet again she battled bureaucracy and the reserved snooty British public's views of the sex industry.
I dont want to give much away as you really need to read this book, I cant even begin to explain about some of the antics of Beckys kittens, Spanky the monkey, postman Pat and a Rolf Harris fetish it is far better coming from the words of Becky Adams herself.
May 8, 2012
A frank, open humorous and often sad book that describes the life of a madam very well, warts and all, highlighting the injustices to many fundamentally decent people working in the sex trade.
Anyone with an opinion on the subject should read it, laugh out loud at themselves and others and begin realise that it's a story of humanity in all it's states.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next instalment, thank you Becky.
Anyone with an opinion on the subject should read it, laugh out loud at themselves and others and begin realise that it's a story of humanity in all it's states.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next instalment, thank you Becky.
May 11, 2012
Well, seeing as I wrote this I have to say it's one of my favourites. A damn good read!
March 21, 2013
I've always been interested in the sex industry and how things work, but it's very rare being able to hear it all from the horses' mouth so to speak.
When prostitution or brothels are mentioned in todays society, most people generally assume the girls involved are drug induced and living in poverty or fear, although this isn't always the case as outlined in Becky Adams new biography 'Madam'.
The book begins by giving a little backround info about Becky's childhood and the difficult relationship she shared with her mother before moving on to becoming owner of a topless carwash, brothel Madam and sex toy seller. She really has seen and done it all!
Who'd have thought that by simply keeping an eye on a good friend and making sure they were safe, could lead to a life of brothels, puppets, dildos and dongs?? Sounds bizzarre, but that's exactly how it all happened for Becky Adams.
Starting out by dropping her good friend off for jobs to ensure her safety, things quickly progressed for Becky until she was actaully arranging jobs herself, and before long, needed to find more girls and somewhere to work from! Madam Beckys Massage Parlour was to be the answer to it all.
Although faced with problems every step of the way, Becky proceeded to defy all the odds and become one of the most successful and well respected Madams on the circuit, even appearing on the Trisha show and This Morning as well as 'Person Services', a docu-soap which ran on ITV in 2003.
'Madam' seriously opened my eyes, and I thought I knew it all! Who'd have thought that hand puppets could bring so much satisfaction to a person ...especially a puppet like Spanky the monkey (you'll have to read the book to find out more). One particular incident had the tears streaming down my face and all i'm gonna say is 'Pat-O-Gram' - again, if you want to know more, get the book!! People come from all walks of life, and they never cease to amaze...what shocks one is sure to excite another, and there's certainly no shortage of strange and amazing people in Madam.
Although business was booming, things weren't quite so great for Becky herself. The daily battle with not only the irate neighbours, police and authorities, but also her own girls and her competitors, soon began to take its toll.
Most people assume that running a brothel would be an easy job, but after reading 'Madam', I see that that is far from the truth. There is so much more involved than just taking calls from wanting men and arranging a lady to satisfy them. Everyone out there seems to become the enemy, all wishing to see you fail and putting obstacles at every given opportunity. It takes a really strong person to overcome all those obstacles and I have the utmost admiration for Becky Adams and what she has achieved. She is living proof that alot of madams and prostitutes are in fact highly respectable women, many who work to fulfil their own fantasys as well as earn a few quid.
After 20 years in the business, Becky Admas gives a very honest and entertaining account of her life which brought a few shocked gasps, some schoolgirl giggles, hysterical laughter and a little sadness too. I'm sure that after reading Madam, many will change their opinion of sex workers and those who fight daily to ensure their safety.
When prostitution or brothels are mentioned in todays society, most people generally assume the girls involved are drug induced and living in poverty or fear, although this isn't always the case as outlined in Becky Adams new biography 'Madam'.
The book begins by giving a little backround info about Becky's childhood and the difficult relationship she shared with her mother before moving on to becoming owner of a topless carwash, brothel Madam and sex toy seller. She really has seen and done it all!
Who'd have thought that by simply keeping an eye on a good friend and making sure they were safe, could lead to a life of brothels, puppets, dildos and dongs?? Sounds bizzarre, but that's exactly how it all happened for Becky Adams.
Starting out by dropping her good friend off for jobs to ensure her safety, things quickly progressed for Becky until she was actaully arranging jobs herself, and before long, needed to find more girls and somewhere to work from! Madam Beckys Massage Parlour was to be the answer to it all.
Although faced with problems every step of the way, Becky proceeded to defy all the odds and become one of the most successful and well respected Madams on the circuit, even appearing on the Trisha show and This Morning as well as 'Person Services', a docu-soap which ran on ITV in 2003.
'Madam' seriously opened my eyes, and I thought I knew it all! Who'd have thought that hand puppets could bring so much satisfaction to a person ...especially a puppet like Spanky the monkey (you'll have to read the book to find out more). One particular incident had the tears streaming down my face and all i'm gonna say is 'Pat-O-Gram' - again, if you want to know more, get the book!! People come from all walks of life, and they never cease to amaze...what shocks one is sure to excite another, and there's certainly no shortage of strange and amazing people in Madam.
Although business was booming, things weren't quite so great for Becky herself. The daily battle with not only the irate neighbours, police and authorities, but also her own girls and her competitors, soon began to take its toll.
Most people assume that running a brothel would be an easy job, but after reading 'Madam', I see that that is far from the truth. There is so much more involved than just taking calls from wanting men and arranging a lady to satisfy them. Everyone out there seems to become the enemy, all wishing to see you fail and putting obstacles at every given opportunity. It takes a really strong person to overcome all those obstacles and I have the utmost admiration for Becky Adams and what she has achieved. She is living proof that alot of madams and prostitutes are in fact highly respectable women, many who work to fulfil their own fantasys as well as earn a few quid.
After 20 years in the business, Becky Admas gives a very honest and entertaining account of her life which brought a few shocked gasps, some schoolgirl giggles, hysterical laughter and a little sadness too. I'm sure that after reading Madam, many will change their opinion of sex workers and those who fight daily to ensure their safety.
January 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I could relate to some of the business challenges that Becky faced (although my challenges were a slightly different industry!). This book has everything, fun, weirdness, honesty and those all important laugh out loud moments.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews