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Meeting the Master
In Wald's darkly erotic stories, characters enact the intricate and subtle ways that dominance and submission play a role in their daily lives: a young girl dreams of submitting to a boy who's not interested in controlling her, an ex-convict is so accustomed to serving his cellmate that he cannot adjust to the outside world, a professional dominatrix is beaten at her own game by a psychiatrist, and a student lies his way into the home of an army recruiter in order to become his houseboy.
Meeting the Master is a provocative exploration of the pleasures and rituals of dominance and submission.
Meeting the Master is a provocative exploration of the pleasures and rituals of dominance and submission.
179 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1995
5 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Elissa Wald
8 books16 followersElissa Wald is the author of MEETING THE MASTER (Grove Press) and HOLDING FIRE (Context Books). Her work has also been published in multiple journals and anthologies, including Beacon Best of 2001, Creative Nonfiction, The Barcelona Review, The Mammoth Book of Erotica, Nerve: Literate Smut, The Ex-Files: New Stories about Old Flames, and Brain, Child Magazine. She has also worked as a stripper, run away to join the circus, and lived on a Native American reservation. She is a graduate of Columbia University.
Courtesy: http://www.bookreporter.com/authors/e...
Courtesy: http://www.bookreporter.com/authors/e...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 20, 2013
Absolutely exceptional, intelligent, subtle, erotic. What I particularly admired is the unexpected ways Wald approaches dominance and submission. These are actual stories, not just pretenses for S/m scenarios. They are deeply considered and beautifully rendered and I read this book twice in one night. I love this book.
May 6, 2013
There are books that seduce you by the first chapter. This book claimed my heart on the first page.
There are twenty three poems and short stories that take eroticism and throw it to the winds, letting it fall wherever it may. These short pieces and pearls of poetry take in gay, straight, lesbian and everything in between and craft moving tales and thoughts that both arouse and make you think about what you are reading. To me, it was a love story; a gift to the reader that appreciates fine writing and not your typical episodes of BDSM.
The short works of fiction in this collection blew my mind. They are windows into worlds that some of us never imagine we could be a part of. Isn’t that the true gift of reading, or writing for that matter? The ability to read something and go somewhere far, far away from the screaming kids, the endless day at work, or doing the supper dishes. As an author, the greatest joy I have is in writing something that invokes that feeling, and Elissa Wald did just that. This book was one of the most engaging reads I have read in quite awhile. Think brilliant primary colors. Think carnival lights and swarthy men with tattoos. Think sex.
From the first story, The Initiation, where we meet Delilah, a budding submissive who struggles with the demons inside her, to the sexy Kim who isn’t quite sure what to make of Delilah’s fixation on pain. This story was gripping and visceral and I couldn’t put the book down, even to sleep. The second story installment is Ruby and the Bull. This is the story of Ruby and Judd. She calls him the Bull, and as the story unwinds, he has found her diary and is about to get a nasty shock when he reads it. Spicy, raw and undulating, this tale is gritty and on edge.
The third story in the collection is The Resolution. Full of the glitz and fading glitter of the big top, we meet Lottie, a runaway and Jorge, an outcast in the circus. Teased mercilessly for his gay status, Jorge is bitter and standoffish. When Lottie unknowingly insults him, it starts a winding path down a love that will last a lifetime. This story will bring tears to your eyes and a breath of longing to your heart.
Story number four, The Houseboy, is a major head trip and one that had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it. Troy is a boy lost in a sea of high schoolers lost in the fray of his life. When the Sergeant comes to speak, he finds a role model and a curious object of affection. Writing letters and insinuating himself into the Sergeant’s life, lies and betrayals can unravel even the deepest of dreams.
Number five, Missing the Boat, is a ménage scenario that brings many elements to the scene. Dominance, submission and more entertain in this soul deep take on friendship and fascination when the tables get turned and lines begin to blur.
The sixth story, Turned Out, is a beautiful story about hope growing up from a bed of concrete. Nelson has just gotten out of prison and while he is happy, his senses are on overload. He misses the routine and security of the life inside and the domineering partnership he shared with The Axe, the male dominant he subbed to inside. This piece walks you through deep feelings and longings of the heart.
The last story, The Illustrating Man, is one that will stick in your mind long after you have read it. Sexy and as intricate as a well done tattoo, this story takes off when a female reporter finds out a childhood savior is wanted for murder. In a beautifully wound tale, the author shows you people that were affected by the artist’s insight and unique method of tattooing. It is sensual and one that scratches down into the deepest part of you and leaves a mark.
The poetry in this collection is also inspiring, spiritual and evocative.
If you are looking for a book that takes you into the souls of many unique and worthy characters, then you need to read this collection. Rich, lush and full of vibrant eroticism, this book is a keeper on my favorite shelf. You won’t forget any of the characters and how easily this author can slip into the minds of anyone and walk a mile in their shoes. The erotic portions are done very well and titillate the mind as well as the body.
For a collection that will have you dreaming carnival dreams of tattooed men, ladies that lust and of heartfelt loves that like life, do not always have a sparkling happily ever after, then you need to read this book.
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
There are twenty three poems and short stories that take eroticism and throw it to the winds, letting it fall wherever it may. These short pieces and pearls of poetry take in gay, straight, lesbian and everything in between and craft moving tales and thoughts that both arouse and make you think about what you are reading. To me, it was a love story; a gift to the reader that appreciates fine writing and not your typical episodes of BDSM.
The short works of fiction in this collection blew my mind. They are windows into worlds that some of us never imagine we could be a part of. Isn’t that the true gift of reading, or writing for that matter? The ability to read something and go somewhere far, far away from the screaming kids, the endless day at work, or doing the supper dishes. As an author, the greatest joy I have is in writing something that invokes that feeling, and Elissa Wald did just that. This book was one of the most engaging reads I have read in quite awhile. Think brilliant primary colors. Think carnival lights and swarthy men with tattoos. Think sex.
From the first story, The Initiation, where we meet Delilah, a budding submissive who struggles with the demons inside her, to the sexy Kim who isn’t quite sure what to make of Delilah’s fixation on pain. This story was gripping and visceral and I couldn’t put the book down, even to sleep. The second story installment is Ruby and the Bull. This is the story of Ruby and Judd. She calls him the Bull, and as the story unwinds, he has found her diary and is about to get a nasty shock when he reads it. Spicy, raw and undulating, this tale is gritty and on edge.
The third story in the collection is The Resolution. Full of the glitz and fading glitter of the big top, we meet Lottie, a runaway and Jorge, an outcast in the circus. Teased mercilessly for his gay status, Jorge is bitter and standoffish. When Lottie unknowingly insults him, it starts a winding path down a love that will last a lifetime. This story will bring tears to your eyes and a breath of longing to your heart.
Story number four, The Houseboy, is a major head trip and one that had me thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it. Troy is a boy lost in a sea of high schoolers lost in the fray of his life. When the Sergeant comes to speak, he finds a role model and a curious object of affection. Writing letters and insinuating himself into the Sergeant’s life, lies and betrayals can unravel even the deepest of dreams.
Number five, Missing the Boat, is a ménage scenario that brings many elements to the scene. Dominance, submission and more entertain in this soul deep take on friendship and fascination when the tables get turned and lines begin to blur.
The sixth story, Turned Out, is a beautiful story about hope growing up from a bed of concrete. Nelson has just gotten out of prison and while he is happy, his senses are on overload. He misses the routine and security of the life inside and the domineering partnership he shared with The Axe, the male dominant he subbed to inside. This piece walks you through deep feelings and longings of the heart.
The last story, The Illustrating Man, is one that will stick in your mind long after you have read it. Sexy and as intricate as a well done tattoo, this story takes off when a female reporter finds out a childhood savior is wanted for murder. In a beautifully wound tale, the author shows you people that were affected by the artist’s insight and unique method of tattooing. It is sensual and one that scratches down into the deepest part of you and leaves a mark.
The poetry in this collection is also inspiring, spiritual and evocative.
If you are looking for a book that takes you into the souls of many unique and worthy characters, then you need to read this collection. Rich, lush and full of vibrant eroticism, this book is a keeper on my favorite shelf. You won’t forget any of the characters and how easily this author can slip into the minds of anyone and walk a mile in their shoes. The erotic portions are done very well and titillate the mind as well as the body.
For a collection that will have you dreaming carnival dreams of tattooed men, ladies that lust and of heartfelt loves that like life, do not always have a sparkling happily ever after, then you need to read this book.
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
August 28, 2020
I read this years ago (possibly when it first came out) but I only remembered a handful of the stories. The final story, "The Illustrated Man", is incredible and worth the price of admission, though all of them are well written and speak about dominance and submission in often surprising and not- literally-sexual-but-very- erotic-if-you-are-into-that- kind-of-thing ways. Excellent rainy afternoon reading.
April 19, 2024
This book is absolutely gorgeous. An intelligent and dynamic view of what a master is, and what it means to submit. Each story is brilliantly Crafted and leaves you wishing it was a full length novel.
I truly wish Elissa would publish more and more of these.
I truly wish Elissa would publish more and more of these.
November 3, 2008
An easy and entertaining read. Not highly erotic, it's more a defiance to the idea that those who crave affection in a darker way are any less human. A good, light start for beginners to the BDSM literary scene. I could have read it all in one sitting, but paced myself so I could enjoy it. I agree with some critics that some of it isn't entirely realistic, but a touch of fantasy has never bothered me. I've read it twice and I'm sure I'll do so again not too far in the future.
November 20, 2013
The intro poem and first two stories are weak, but the rest of the book is pretty solid. Definitely an interesting read for anyone curious about the submissive mind. But the stories themselves are not about simple submission/domination fantasies, they deal with (more or less) believable characters in different positions and that's what makes it a good read.
December 23, 2014
A well written collection of stories about Master/Slave relationships and domination, from a lot of different angles. A couple of the stories were more obvious, but there were enough that did something interesting with the subject matter to make this a worthwhile read.
August 21, 2009
The best and hottest stories about power I have ever discovered.
December 26, 2010
a great surprise...
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April 5, 2013Awesome read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews