A Pleasant Kind Of Heavy And Other Erotic Stories

by Aranyani

A local artist embarks upon a wild affair with her Russian neighbour in ‘A Touch of Sun’. A schoolgirl experiences exquisite pleasure at the hands of a stranger in ‘The Causes of Blindness’. A pregnant woman discovers and succumbs to irresistible new cravings in ‘A Pleasant Kind of Heavy’. In these and other stories, memorable sexual encounters take place in settings as diverse as a small locality of Mysore, a transatlantic jet, an abandoned bridge in Chennai and a tiny studio apartment in America. Bold, sensuous and unabashedly erotic, these nine stories announce the arrival of an electrifying new talent—a writer who will take you on a wild, shocking and seductive exploration of the human body and psyche.

Genres: India, Fiction, Erotica

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2013

Reviews

[Kavya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is erotica as lived by real people, in everyday places made sensual and extraordinary by Aranyani's attentive prose. She portrays sex as part of life, so these become stories about individual lives and journeys that penetrate through Indian society's violent inability to cope with sexuality. Thrilling and intensely absorbing, this book is a delight.

[Tra · Rating 2 out of 5]

A feminist erotica, but written under a pseudonym. hmmm

[Abhishek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book after reading Amrita Naryanan's blockbuster erotic short story 'Stolen' in 'Love and Lust: Stories and Essays'( 'Stolen' is the first story in this book). The writing style is pretty good with vivid descriptions, particularly her description of plants, the surroundings etc. My only grouse is that the erotica seemed "forced". One knows that things are soon going to heat up, for the lack of a better word, no matter what. Some of it felt a little unrealistic because of the conservative society that we belong to, though that construct is what this book might be trying to smash. The stories towards the end were more subtle and had greater depth. All the stories have women narrator is welcome, though I wonder if a couple of stories could have had male ones to offer variety.

[Prem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Pleasant Kind of Heavy oozes burgeoning sexuality from every corner of its locales - intensely familiar to those of us from South India, its words throbbing with a pent-up erotic energy. There are undertones of feminist statements in the stories, revealing (and revelling in) the sex lives of the middle-class Tamil Brahmin woman, the pregnant NRI dancer and gay men on different sides of the class divide. Aranyani joyously tears away the pretenses of the characters so they are party to their basest instincts, without ever seeming lewd. There's a playful humour in the words too, such as in the tongue-firmly-in-cheek descriptions of the Orientalist white hippie being seduced by the "bronze" sculptor downstairs.
This collection of short stories is erotica at its core, but its unique viewpoints and bold flourishes make it a fascinating read. The lotuses here, are ones that truly reward being unfurled.

[P Mody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegantly written. The erotic connections make strong feminist statements that are hard hitting without being strident because they are so tenderly couched in the stories. Read between the lines for maximal interest.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written series of Indian erotica, all told from a woman’s perspective. Engaging, exciting, sensuous and oh so well written. And I completely understand the authors choice to write under a pseudonym, given the culture guardians of our Indian society.

[Bhoomi-joshilive.com]

I want to read this book but I don't see a kindle version of it yet! I live in the states kindly help!

[Anurati · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable collection of literary erotica that straddles the often forgotten area of desire and female sexuality within the Indian context. Extremely well-written, bold, and unique stories.

[John Div · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is soft-core porn. I read this because this is written by a South Indian girl. Has some surprising and unexpected sexual content. This book is not for the morally absolute puritan. All puritans stay away from this book. If you have a conscience this book will test its durability.

[Sanchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any erotic literature from India, so I have no baseline judgement. Having said that, I loved this book. The stories are evocative, well written and never leave the realm of the mundane, making them relatable. It reminded me of idyllic afternoons spent reading endlessly. A great book!

[Abhishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best erotica from the Indian subcontinent and I am glad it is from the feminist perspective. It brings in the much needed art in writing erotica.

[Tanupam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophisticated, short stories that are bound to catch your attention. Aranyani writes fluently and the characters are relatable.

[Akilesh Sridharan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely titillating and pleasurable read. Every story oozes your sexual energy.