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Kee MacFarlane
Okay. So, what is it?
It’s a pocket-size paperback—a slim volume that you really can slide into your pocket. Which is lovely, don’t you think? Just like in the old days. Except you probably shouldn’t put it in your butt-pocket if you plan to do the eBay thing. That’s rough on books. Warps the spine.
Sure. But what’s it, you know, about?
Oh, it’s about 120 pages. Har, har.
Sorry. The book is “about” Vanessa Place. Sort of. That’s an oversimplification, of course, which should go without saying. But for present purposes I’d prefer that as our shorthand. Better not to muddy the waters. It’s about Vanessa Place.
If you don’t know who Vanessa Place is, there’s probably an internet nearby. If you do know who Vanessa Place is, then you probably know two things about her—both of which, I promise, are salient in Sotos’ text.
And for what it’s worth, this one is mostly text. But for a spare selection of bracketing images and graphic drops at the front and back of the book—all of which derive from my gum-chewing aesthetic sensibility, so you’ll know who to blame!—it could almost qualify as a scholarly monograph. Except for the jokes. Scholarly monographs don’t usually have jokes. And there are jokes in this book. Just like in Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader.
So, it’s a joke book?
Yes. It’s a joke book. A “joke book” by Peter Sotos. Go with that. It’s not true, not really. But it’s a fun rumor.
It’s a pocket-size paperback—a slim volume that you really can slide into your pocket. Which is lovely, don’t you think? Just like in the old days. Except you probably shouldn’t put it in your butt-pocket if you plan to do the eBay thing. That’s rough on books. Warps the spine.
Sure. But what’s it, you know, about?
Oh, it’s about 120 pages. Har, har.
Sorry. The book is “about” Vanessa Place. Sort of. That’s an oversimplification, of course, which should go without saying. But for present purposes I’d prefer that as our shorthand. Better not to muddy the waters. It’s about Vanessa Place.
If you don’t know who Vanessa Place is, there’s probably an internet nearby. If you do know who Vanessa Place is, then you probably know two things about her—both of which, I promise, are salient in Sotos’ text.
And for what it’s worth, this one is mostly text. But for a spare selection of bracketing images and graphic drops at the front and back of the book—all of which derive from my gum-chewing aesthetic sensibility, so you’ll know who to blame!—it could almost qualify as a scholarly monograph. Except for the jokes. Scholarly monographs don’t usually have jokes. And there are jokes in this book. Just like in Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader.
So, it’s a joke book?
Yes. It’s a joke book. A “joke book” by Peter Sotos. Go with that. It’s not true, not really. But it’s a fun rumor.
124 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2024
11 people want to read
About the author
Peter Sotos
36 books223 followersPeter Sotos (born April 17, 1960) is a Chicago-born writer who has contributed an unprecedented examination of the peculiar motivations of sadistic sexual criminals. His works are often cited as conveying an uncanny understanding of myriad aspects of pornography. Most of his writings have focused on sexually violent pornography, particularly of that involving children. His writings are also considered by many to be social criticism often commenting on the hypocritical way media handles these issues.
In 1984, while attending The Art Institute of Chicago, Sotos began producing a self-published newsletter or "fanzine" named Pure, notable as the first zine dedicated to serial killer lore. Much of the text and pictures in Pure were photocopied images from major newspapers and other print media. Sotos also used a photocopy from a magazine of child pornography as the cover of issue#2 of Pure. In 1986 this cover led to his arrest and charges of obscenity and possession of child pornography. The charges of obscenity were dropped, but Sotos eventually pled guilty to the possession charge and received a suspended sentence. Sotos was the first person in the United States ever to be charged for owning child pornography.
Sotos' writings explore sadistic and pedophilic sexual impulses in their many, often hidden, guises. Often using first person narratives, his prose takes on the point of view of the sexual predator. Despite his early legal troubles, and the seemingly fatal stigma of falsely being labeled a pedophile, Sotos continues to garner support for his ideas and literary output.
He was until 2003 a seminal member of the industrial noise band Whitehouse.
In 1984, while attending The Art Institute of Chicago, Sotos began producing a self-published newsletter or "fanzine" named Pure, notable as the first zine dedicated to serial killer lore. Much of the text and pictures in Pure were photocopied images from major newspapers and other print media. Sotos also used a photocopy from a magazine of child pornography as the cover of issue#2 of Pure. In 1986 this cover led to his arrest and charges of obscenity and possession of child pornography. The charges of obscenity were dropped, but Sotos eventually pled guilty to the possession charge and received a suspended sentence. Sotos was the first person in the United States ever to be charged for owning child pornography.
Sotos' writings explore sadistic and pedophilic sexual impulses in their many, often hidden, guises. Often using first person narratives, his prose takes on the point of view of the sexual predator. Despite his early legal troubles, and the seemingly fatal stigma of falsely being labeled a pedophile, Sotos continues to garner support for his ideas and literary output.
He was until 2003 a seminal member of the industrial noise band Whitehouse.
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August 3, 2024
A digestible, pithy and "funny" critique.
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