Threesome

The Jill Emerson novels #5

by Jill Emerson

There’s more than one side to every story—especially in a threesome

Harry, Priss, and Rhoda have a brilliant idea. They’re going to write the best “bad” novel and they’ll each contribute one third of the story. But what to write about? How about their unusual arrangement? And so this tale of steamy liaisons begins, as Harry and his wife, Priss, welcome randy divorcée Rhoda into their lives—and their bedroom. The three adventurers embark on an erotic journey that will prove that three is a very pleasure-filled crowd.

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Lawrence Block, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from his personal collection, and a new afterword written by the author.

Genres: Fiction, Erotica

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

A pseudonym used by Lawrence Block.

Block writes: "Jill Emerson’s seven-book body of work ranges from sensitive lesbian fiction (Enough of Sorrow) and candid erotica (Threesome) to mainstream contemporary fiction (A Week as Andrea Benstock). Both [Jill and Lawrence Block] are deeply grateful to the heroine of Getting Off for providing them with the opportunity to work together one more time.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of 300 copies signed by Lawrence Block and Phil Parks. A Collector’s edition of 40 copies in clamshell cases was also produced.

The novel was published as a joint venture with Subterranean Press.

Threesome has an unusual structure in that the chapters rotate between the three characters, and all are supposedly chapters that each character contributes to a manuscript for what they initially intend to be an erotic bestseller. These fictional book chapters even include asides, notes to the others, and comments on word and grammar usage. Yet far from being distracting, these add to the humor. The structure not only works, as the story is revealed in layers from the past and present.

Considered lesbian pulp.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read many of Lawrence Block’s Jill Emerson novels and I found that Threesome was a tremendously enjoyable listen that makes it clear I need to check out the remainder of the Emerson books. As you surely already know, Threesome is presented as the work of three lovers recounting their three-way relationship with the intention of writing a book and possibly seeing their lives become a best seller. The work becomes therapeutic to them, replacing meaningful conversation they should have been having in person as their situation grows thorny over time. The conceit that these three people are not actually writers allows for a casual narrative, one that proved to be a very good listen especially given the shared narration from Dolores McDougal and Bill Weeden. The two do a magnificent job, only hampered by the occasional long stretches of dialogue that lack a “I said,” “she said,” etc. Weeden perfectly captures the wise cracking mix of joviality and what you may consider ego of the character Harry while McDougal’s handling of Rhoda and Priss brings remarkable life to the two women who have loved each other in the past before finding themselves as two thirds of the triangle. She makes the joy, fear, lust, regret, and need of each woman as real as any emotion can be.


The shared narration from the three characters allows us an insight into their trepidations and self consciousness, the others’ responses to these feelings of love and insecurity in a way that we might not have in traditional single narrator storytelling. There seems to be a lot to unpack as former lovers get back together while one is married, the question of parenthood and how it plays into the perceived sterility that had plagued a marriage, and the idea of infidelity within and without the threesome provides more to chew on that you might expect from a book that originally sold, no doubt, on its sex appeal. And there is sex, of course. There is content more explicit than what you would see if you read one of Block’s erotic novels from the fifties, though far less than what modern writers can include. Whether or not what is included is sexy is for you to decide, though nothing seems particularly gratuitous. The humour is worth mentioning, too. If you’re familiar with Lawrence Block outside the Matthew Scudder series, it will come as no surprise that this book is incredibly funny. Many of Block’s erotic novels deal with the coming of age or self discovery of their protagonists, and Threesome is no different, seemlessly merging its humour with sex with the psychological implications of relationships (and how this can change as the idea of “tradition” is tossed aside), told in a casual, breezy manner.

I would be remiss not to mention that those of you who have read the product description will have seen Block’s real-life story of getting a ride with several college students, and what comes of that. The event is fictionalized -- to an extent -- in his book Ronald Rabbit is a Dirty Old Man, which is also available on Audible. When you have finished Threesome, it is well worth your time to give that very different book a listen.

Lawrence Block has more than earned his reputation of one of the greatest crime writers to pick up a pen, though readers who have ignored his work outside the genre have done themselves a disservice. Be it erotica, memoir, writing for writers, comedy, or whatever else catches your interest, Block has maintained an unreasonably high standard for over half a century. Threesome, an erotic novel that reaches well beyond what it should have achieved, is a tremednously enjoyable book with fantastic narration. Recommended.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1970 and reflecting many of the social mores of the time, Threesome is the title of this book and, while it is descriptive of some of the action in the book, it is a book told from three points of view. Harry, Priss, and Rhoda decide that they will write a novel, giving their inner thoughts, each alternating a chapter in the novel from their own points of view. Harry is a cartoonist. He lives with his wife (Priss) up in the country, heading into NYC every Wednesday ostensibly to meet with publishers. Rhoda is a recent divorcee who has been living on the west coast and is between jobs and between marriages and between lives. Rhoda and Priss were college roommates eight years earlier and were, at times, more than merely roommates to each other.

While this book may have been published in an attempt to spark newsstand interest of the most purient kind, what makes it good is not the steamy scenes in it, but the amazingly creative way in which Block makes his characters and their inner thoughts come alive on the pages. It displays considerable craft on Block’s part, craft which later was used to create many characters in the novels which he actually published under his own name.

That being said, be forewarned that this book is clearly for adults only with sexual scenes that leave nothing to the imagination. It may be an awkward book to read in public given the title and the content.

[Craig Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence Block went through an odd literary phase in 1969-1974 during which he was attracted to writing novels in non-traditional formats. These works tended to be high in adult content; many were published under pen names. While it may be tempting to lump them with his early pseudonymous sleaze novels like Campus Tramp and So Willing, Block was by this point in his career also writing several well-received books under his own name. These experimental novels were characterized by some of his most sophisticated writing up to that point.

Threesome was inspired by the success of Naked Came the Manatee, a famous effort in which 26 newspapermen decided to write a novel, each contributing one chapter apiece and making it as trashy as possible. The result was a #1 New York Times Bestseller which created a trend of collaborative novels that extends to this day.

In Block’s novel, three characters living in a troilistic arrangement decide they should also write a collaborative story. They agree to take turns writing chapters about how their unique “marriage” came about. In the telling of the story, though, each is compelled to reveal hidden secrets that threaten the relationship. The novel, therefore, deals not only with the characters’ pasts but also relates how the writing of the book itself affects them.

The book works surprisingly well not because of the sex but because of Block’s ability to effortlessly give his three protagonists subtle, nuanced personalities, and each of their unique voices flows through the chapters in successive order. The writing itself is also very funny.

Other similar Lawrence Block novels from this period include:

• Ronald Rabbit is a Dirty Old Man (1971) – a comedic epistolary novel related through correspondence both to and from the titular character.

• Different Strokes (1974) was actually published under a non-fiction imprint. It consisted of a full feature-length screenplay (of the adult variety), the production diary of an executive producer, and an interview with a leading actress. (It was all made up, of course.)

• Thirty and Dairy of a Madwoman were both written as the fictional diary entries of two very unhappy women.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently read this as I've always been a big fan of the Keller series. If you are, too, don't make the same mistake.
Three friends sit down & decide to write a book about their relationship (they're in a threesome), alternating chapters with each writing from their own perspective. Interesting premise with mind numbing results. What follows is a recounting of their histories filed with graphic language & sexual situations. And that's the best part.
I'm afraid what rendered it worthy of two (generous) stars are the characters themselves. They ruminate endlessly on themselves, each other & dissect every comment, look & opinion before, during & afters they have sex. And for me, it's the characters that make or break a book. I don't have to like them but they have to interesting or intriguing in some way that make me want to know what happens to them. These three were just tiresome & self absorbed and I was left thinking thank God they found each other.
This book was published in 1970 & there are at least 2 other books I found written under the name of Jill Emerson so if you enjoyed this you can give them a try as well.
As for me, I think I'll stick with Keller.

[Almeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a book labeled erotica this was waaay too tame. I guess as a citizen of the 21st century I have become jaded. Was this considered risque? Got bored with no real action. Reminded me of the fad of the Bob, Ted, Carol and Alice years, when things looked so decadent. Compared to the depravity we are used to now, it seemed awfully subdued. Implications of naughty things, but no real graphic descriptions.

When sexual situations came up there was the confession that they tumbled around a lot, performed amazing acrobatics and explored a bunch of erogenous zones...but then would say "I don't need to describe it in detail"! WELL, YES YOU DO! My shamefully voyeuristic self picked up this book for salacious reasons. :-P

Oddly enough the denouement made the read satisfying anyway.

Lawrence Block is a much better male mystery/thriller writer than female author Jill Emerson is at writing carnality.

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a big Lawrence Block fan. This was an early book of his written under a pseudonym. I read an interview with LB recently where he was asked which of his little known works deserved more attention - and this was one of his choices.

From reading the author notes at the end, he obviously has a soft spot for it and had a blast writing it. Unfortunately, I found it a very disappointing read. The first two-thirds are downright dull and the whole thing is dated and jaded. The only reason I've given it 2-stars instead of one is that it picks up slightly towards the end. I'd recommend avoiding it.

[Denise M.]

AKA: Sheldon Lord, Jill Emerson, Paul Kavanaugh, Chip Harrison, Lawrence Block

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, it is what it is

[Sláinte Wanderlust · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three & a half stars, proper review to come... this is a seriously strange book.

[Rendier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lawrence Block is still a great writer, even under another name. Interesting book...