The Real Thing

by William Carney

Book by Carney, William

Genres: Fiction, BDSM, Queer, LGBT

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Ari]

I've long been fascinated with the connections between SM and antique/medieval Christianity, especially hagiography (saint-lore). Saints experience pain/suffering whether by their own hand or by the hand of another holy person and are immediately transported to ecstasy. So it goes with some of us as well. When reading another classic 70s work (L.Townsend's 'The Leatherman's Handbook') I came across the reference to 'The Real Thing'. I have to admit, the story line is not amazing, the writing style was more than a bit heavy handed, and the ending is simply dumb. There were, on the plus side, a fair number of interesting references along religious themed lines. Carney refers to three types of 'players' using the 'three orders', calls his own (slightly fictionalized) version of SM 'the Way', makes parallels between a good scene and the Crucifixion, and throughout keeps up the Shepherd/sheep and Priest/lay references. There's lots more along these lines but only other theology students would get the more obscure references. Worth a read simply because it is a classic and for consistent execution of the references. Not worth the read if you are actually looking for any pertinent information.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I may have appreciated this one more from a historical point of view than from an actually-reading it point of view.

[Roclaf Alter -Ego · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting tale - but confusing at times as you only get one side of the story (as an exchange of letters), but a real twist at the end.

[Brainorgan]

The Real Thing by William Carney (1995)