Dutiful: a love story of consensual sadomasochism

by J.P. Tate

“Dutiful” is the portrait of a woman: Isabel. The story explores the fascinating paradoxes of one woman’s lifestyle as she combines career accomplishment in her public life with sexual masochism in her private life. The intensely reflective narrative which unfolds in Dutiful offers intriguing insights into the nature of a successful consensual-sadomasochistic relationship between a male dominant and a female submissive. The novel looks beneath the surface exteriors of what mainstream society believes about sadomasochism and delves more profoundly into the personal freedom derived from being truly oneself.

Isabel’s married life with her husband/lover Gabe has taught her that love only rests secure on complete sexual honesty. She knows that if you are loved without being understood, then you have to live in fear that one day your lover will learn the truth about you and not love you any more, but if your lover understands and accepts who you really are, then it is truly you that he loves, and you can love and be loved without fear.

This is a serious novel about human relationships, not simply a piece of superficial erotica, but readers should be aware that it deals with very adult themes and therefore includes graphic sexual scenes.

[Book description taken from author's website.]

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2014

Reviews

[Vic Botterill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this book’ because it was by James Tate. The title was intriguing – DUTIFUL- which I misread as "CONFEESSION" as I had always associated the word confession with an admission of guilt. I have never read so many insights into the human situation. This is a love story, but it takes a totally different approach do anything I have read about romance as it is invariably portrayed.

I learnt that what takes place in private is nothing to do with the outside world unless it is non- consensual, when it becomes assault and battery. It enables those of masochistic inclination and those of a sadistic turn of mind to carry out their fantasies. Revealing this to other people could invite condemnation, so people have learned what is termed “normal” behaviour.

The story is beautifully put together and there are many insights into the nature of human relations. I quote the author James Tate:

“Being understood takes precedence over being loved. If you're loved without being understood, then you must live in fear; the fear that one day your lover will come to understand you and then not love you anymore.” So true.