Gigolo: Inside the secret world of the super rich

by Ben Foster, Clifford Thurlow

Working double shifts for minimum wage at a care home for boys with learning disabilities, Ben Foster and his young family are ground down by poverty and debt. When he inherits a sizeable windfall from his gran, Ben decides to qualify as a masseur. Soon he is introduced to the mysterious ‘committee’ – a group of female socialites with one thing in they adore sex and don’t mind paying for it. With his dark hair, blue eyes, and robust appendage that the ladies dub Big Ben, the shy careworker is drawn into a world of private jets, Parisian sex clubs, state secrets, endless lines of cocaine and orgies in country houses with a Who’s Who of celebrities, MPs and the international super rich. Ben Foster’s true life story explores the extravagance of old and new wealth in today’s Britain and reveals how some of the super rich relieve their boredom with multiple partners and through sex lives that grow ever kinkier. As Ben’s bank account swells, he acquires a taste for the good life. But what will happen when his wife discovers he has been giving more than just massages...? Praise for ‘Gigolo is a well-written memoir, exposing Ben's feelings such as how being desired by beautiful women boosted his lacking self-esteem. What I particularly liked is how it provides insight into London's class structure, like old money versus the Nouveau riche. I think both male and female readers will enjoy this wild ride’ - Underrated Reads ‘A stunning and surreal look at class and power, this book is a revelation’ - Whippet Reads Ben Foster works in a care home for young adults with learning disabilities. He is a qualified practitioner of reflexology and used to be a famous masseur. Clifford Thurlow has lived all over the world and has worked as a gem stone dealer, a foreign correspondent for The Observer in Athens and as one of the team translating works from Tibetan into English for the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India, where he wrote his first book, Stories from Beyond the Clouds, an anthology of Tibetan folk stories.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2020

Reviews

[Jessica]

This book is not my normal read but my mind was intrigued to find out more about what goes on from behind closed doors, someone who has experienced of being a gigalo and what it all entails based on facts, I could not put it down.

This book is a memoir but I was like did all this really happen or was it this the authors fantasy but in actual fact is a true story. I was still drawn in knowing that.

Ben foster was this normal average man who had a job as a support worker and earning a living wage as a massage therapist. Suddenly they are struggling to make ends meet paying their day to day bills, he also has this lovely dream where he wants him and his wife including children to emigrate to Canada and have a better life, the only thing is it costs a heck of a lot of money to which they do not have.

Later on Ben foster is drawn into this elite living the high life with celebrities, politicians, including other well known billionaires who are famous and finding out it’s a sex industry and all about wealth. Because of his skilled hands he ends up being more than a masseuse for the women who want more than a massage as they seduce him in every way a woman can, even women in the royal family, they were his play thing, he was theirs but the women also was playing with others.

Everyone can have a private life but to what extent as these billionaires, celebrities etc use their power and wealth to do what they like and push people around but is there also something else behind closed doors there that happens as it’s quite scary after recent news and it makes me wonder. ( sorry but it did enter my brain but did not take away the story).

I was also surprised Kelley didn’t clock on to what he was truly doing when he was given the car, the clothes, including a lot more money than what he was earning. To me all women would question their man as women got instincts and would know there’s more to it than meets the eye to which I find weird.

The only thing I will say is the book ended abruptly as we don’t find out why he hated it so much in the end and why he didn’t socialise with the predators, also his thoughts on it now he’s not in that industry.

Please give it a read, it might not be everyone’s taste but there’s no harm in reading it and seeing what you think.

[Just Kate]

This is different to the usual books I read but I couldn’t put it down.
The book is told by Ben, a married dad of 3 struggling to make ends meet, working in a care home for boys with learning difficulties and doing massage on the side for a couple of neighbours and 1 regular client.
It is with this regular client that Ben meets the ‘committee’ a group of powerful rich women that change Ben’s life.
Bens true story shares with us how he went from being on the bread line to wearing fancy suits, driving a Range Rover and owning 2 apartments, all thanks to his new friends and an open mind.

I found this story truly fascinating. How one man’s innocence can change with one chance encounter. How morals can change for the right price and a more comfortable existence for your family. The fact that Ben’s story goes full circle is something to think about. Did he get what he deserved in the end? Or was he used and abandoned when his appeal wore off? You decide that for yourself after reading.

[ReadAlongwithSue Sue]

Not my usual read, but after coming across the author on Tik Tok, and discussing the book, listening to podcasts with him on them, it peaked my interest as to how can someone whose married has young children go from Escort to gigolo in a heart heat. I soon found out, there’s some dishy dirt within the pages, it’s sensual and will take you utterly by surprise. Because the rampage and stir on this book alone is something you need to be privy too. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know him more on mine and my daughters live event on Tik Tok I want to know if there’s anymore inside gossip!

The Secret World of the Rich And Powerful isn’t holding any hostages within these pages

Helpful

[Moona]

"Gigolo: Inside the Secret World of the Super Rich" by Ben Foster and Clifford Thurlow offers a captivating glimpse into a hidden, extravagant lifestyle. The memoir details Foster's transition from a struggling care worker to a highly sought-after gigolo for wealthy socialites. The narrative reveals the opulence and decadence of old and new money in Britain, exposing a world filled with private jets, sex clubs, and celebrity orgies. As Foster navigates this surreal life, he contemplates the cost of his newfound wealth, especially its impact on his marriage. This well-written memoir is a fascinating exploration of class, power, and the lengths some go to escape boredom.

[Anmol Pandey]

Good read

Ben Foster's story is about going from being poor to joining the rich and famous. He used to work long hours for little pay at a care home. But when he got a lot of money from his grandmother, he decided to become a masseur. Then he met a group of rich women who liked to have sex and were willing to pay for it. They took him into their world of luxury and parties where they did drugs and had sex with lots of people, including famous ones. Ben's story shows how rich people sometimes entertain themselves with wild parties and kinky sex.