This Flesh Unknown

by Gary A. Braunbeck

What happens when we dream of our spouse as he or she once was? Does a door in the universe open, letting these secret fantasies become all too real?
Paul and Vanessa Howe are about to find out what happens when their erotic passions and fantasies go too far and take on a unique life of their own.

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

Gary A. Braunbeck is a prolific author who writes mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mainstream literature. He is the author of 19 books; his fiction has been translated into Japanese, French, Italian, Russian and German. Nearly 200 of his short stories have appeared in various publications.

His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award in 2003 for "Duty" and in 2005 for "We Now Pause for Station Identification"; his book Destinations Unknown won a Stoker in 2006. His novella "Kiss of the Mudman" received the International Horror Guild Award in 2005."

Reviews

[Craig]

This was marketed as an erotic supernatural niche-market novel by a small, now-defunct press when it appeared a few years ago, but deserves a much wider audience. The few soft-core erotic parts of the book don't really work too well, but it's a wonderfully clever, very well done sort-of ghost story, with some very interesting insights into the relationships and responsibilities inherent between parents and children. There's an hilarious sequence featuring ducks (not one of the erotic scenes!) that may well be Braunbeck's finest writing.

[Tammy]

I like Braunbeck but was disappointed by this novella. I found it to be a rather silly story and thought the dialogue was rather juvenile. If the soft core porn was removed, the level of writing was as simple as a YA book. I could not finish, even though it is a short read.

[Presley Acuna]

Kinky little tale about meeting your younger selves and getting all sticky with them. LOL.