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Raw Silk
Software engineer Kate O'Neill leaves her lover to take a job in Thailand. She soon becomes involved with two very different men: a handsome member of the Thai aristocracy and a charismatic proprietor of a sex bar. Kate soon finds her new life more exciting than she bargained for.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1999
5 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Lisabet Sarai
180 books217 followersTwo decades ago LISABET SARAI experienced a serendipitous fusion of her love of writing and her fascination with sex. Since then she has published nearly one hundred erotic titles, including the classic RAW SILK. She edited the acclaimed anthologies SACRED EXCHANGE and CREAM and is currently responsible for the altruistic erotica series COMING TOGETHER PRESENTS.
Lisabet holds more degrees than anyone needs from prestigious universities who would no doubt be embarrassed by her chosen genre. She loves to travel and currently lives in Southeast Asia with her highly tolerant husband and two cosmopolitan felines. For more information on Lisabet and her writing visit Lisabet Sarai's Fantasy Factory (http://www.lisabetsarai.com) or her blog Beyond Romance http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com). Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh
Lisabet holds more degrees than anyone needs from prestigious universities who would no doubt be embarrassed by her chosen genre. She loves to travel and currently lives in Southeast Asia with her highly tolerant husband and two cosmopolitan felines. For more information on Lisabet and her writing visit Lisabet Sarai's Fantasy Factory (http://www.lisabetsarai.com) or her blog Beyond Romance http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com). Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 4, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. I don't think I have enough words for this book. I don't mean it in a bad way. It's just that this book was erotica and sensuality through and through. There is enough character development to sustain a reader's attention but most of the book was about seeking pleasure. This book will really get you all hot and bothered. I haven't read anything from this author before, but I find that I do like this particular book. It's not like the usual books I go for. There is nothing dark, or sweet, or even larger than life about the book. However, I really did enjoy reading it.
If you want something to warm you up on a cold night, I suggest you read this book. I, myself, don't mind re-reading this book and even looking out for more books from this author in the future.
Wow. I don't think I have enough words for this book. I don't mean it in a bad way. It's just that this book was erotica and sensuality through and through. There is enough character development to sustain a reader's attention but most of the book was about seeking pleasure. This book will really get you all hot and bothered. I haven't read anything from this author before, but I find that I do like this particular book. It's not like the usual books I go for. There is nothing dark, or sweet, or even larger than life about the book. However, I really did enjoy reading it.
If you want something to warm you up on a cold night, I suggest you read this book. I, myself, don't mind re-reading this book and even looking out for more books from this author in the future.
September 6, 2011
I started this book at about eight last night and finished it around two this morning... Too captivated and entranced to put it down, though I was exhausted from the reading -and the gorgeous, vivid eroticism that drowned my senses completely.
Ms Sarai has such a beautiful way of weaving her talent, the words become pictures and form a tapestry of love, life and passion that flow with dramatic sensuality across the pages. Exotic, deliciously erotic, evocative, haunting, thoroughly mesmerizing and soooo much more!
Although I've only read one other story to date by this incredibly adept author, "Bodies of Light" which I just loved, I'll definitively be looking for more of Ms Sarai's work. And if you should read this Lisabet, thanks for the memories!
"Raw Silk" is a keeper on my shelf and one I know, LOL! I'll have difficulty NOT returning to over and over again.
Ms Sarai has such a beautiful way of weaving her talent, the words become pictures and form a tapestry of love, life and passion that flow with dramatic sensuality across the pages. Exotic, deliciously erotic, evocative, haunting, thoroughly mesmerizing and soooo much more!
Although I've only read one other story to date by this incredibly adept author, "Bodies of Light" which I just loved, I'll definitively be looking for more of Ms Sarai's work. And if you should read this Lisabet, thanks for the memories!
"Raw Silk" is a keeper on my shelf and one I know, LOL! I'll have difficulty NOT returning to over and over again.
February 27, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
4.5* of scorching erotica and naughtiness!
This is unashamedly hedonistic from beginning to end - and I do recommend you read it in private, probably with an ice laden drink .... hot and steamy does not just relate to the Thai weather in this gem.
There is a plot, although really it is the unabashed wantonness of Kate that makes the story worth reading! I enjoyed the journey, and the outcome. I will definitely read this again when I need to remember just how sensually some people can live, and if the central heating ever fails - as it is the best warming read I have had in a while!!
4.5* of scorching erotica and naughtiness!
This is unashamedly hedonistic from beginning to end - and I do recommend you read it in private, probably with an ice laden drink .... hot and steamy does not just relate to the Thai weather in this gem.
There is a plot, although really it is the unabashed wantonness of Kate that makes the story worth reading! I enjoyed the journey, and the outcome. I will definitely read this again when I need to remember just how sensually some people can live, and if the central heating ever fails - as it is the best warming read I have had in a while!!
October 12, 2022
"Raw Silk" (eestikeeli "Toorsiid") peaks olema autori debüüt aastast 1999. Tõsi, aastal 2016 ilmunud versioon, mida ka mina lugesin, on laiendatud versioon ning sisaldab palju BDSM elemente. Lisabet Sarai on väga viljakas kirjanik, ma ei oskagi ütelda, palju ta kirjutanud on, aga vist pigem kahekohalise arvu romaane. Mitte kolmekohalise. Aga kindel ei ole, kodulehel läks silme eest kirjuks.
Kui hästi põgusalt puudutada raamatu sisu, siis peategelaseks on noor naine Katherine O'Neill, tarkvaraisener, kes läheb Taimaale tööle. Kodumaa lennujaamas kargutab teda mitmeaastane suhe David, võõral maal leiab ka Kate kiirelt uusi tutvuseid, kellega peale põgusat (ning ma räägin siin minutitest, pikimal juhul paarist tunnist) tutvust vahekorda asub. Siin on mehi ja naisi, Kate lambis põleb igasugune õli, ka teised osalised on väga vabameelsed. Erinevad seksseiklused on vaheldusrikkad; on halle varjundeid, kõik augud lähevad käiku ning minu jaoks kõige äärmuslikumal puhul määritakse vürtse sinna, kuhu minu arusaamist mööda pole neid küll vaja ning seejärel läheb rautamine edasi nii et on valus, kuum ja mõnus samaaegselt. Noh.... ma nüüd ei tea. Aga eks iga kokk käsitleb maitseaineid erinevalt, tai köök ongi siinkandi inimestele alguses harjumatu. Kate sulandub võõrasse kultuuri kiirelt ning pärismaailma hädad teda ei puuduta. Teate küll - menstruatsioon, turvaseks, rasedus, suguhaigused... siin raamatus sedasorti "asju" pole. Küll on aga igasuguseid muid põnevaid seiku, üks meeldejäävamaid oli mangoga seotud.
Ilmselt olete aru saanud, et see on üsna selge ja sirge põrutamisraamat, pole siin midagi häbeneda. Kusjuures lugedes oli mul pidevalt tunne, et autor on ilmselt mees. Sest see raamat on sisuliselt 70nendate pornofilm, mis on oma olemuses toodud kaasaega ning esitatud romaani kujul. Paarikümneleheküljelised peatükid, kus natuke aega keritakse mingit muud teemat, aga me kõik teame, mis saab edasi - ning "seda" on ikka pikalt ja põhjalikult, lehekülgede kaupa. Lisabet Sarai oskas mind küll üllatada... st kuidas ma nüüd ütlen, ega otseselt isegi ei üllatanud, lihtsalt, et ta meetoditevalik ning lai ampluaa tegevuskohtadest ja tegevustest oli kohati parajalt põrutav (heh-heh, ta ütles "põrutav"). Kunagi "Maajad" või ehk pigem "Sexeri" tüüpi ajakirjad olid sarnaseid lühijutte täis, Lisabet Sarai raamat on sarnane värk pikemal kujul, romaanina.
Sisu on pigem lihtsake ja kriitiliselt võttes on tegelased mõnevõrra kahemõõtmelised. Samas Kate pole ka täitsa mustvalge inimene, on ka temal omad kõhklused. Pealegi see, et inimesel seksuaalne energia üle ääre keeb, pole ju halb, vastupidi. Küll aga ei tasu ilmselgelt kõike siin raamatus võtta tõe pähe ja minna uisapäisa järgi proovima. Kui aga soovi on, miks ka mitte. Elu ei pea olema üheülbaline, seks ei pea olema misjonäris ja rangelt soo jätkamise eesmärgil. Elämä on laiffi.
Kui ma meenutan hiljuti loetud Louise Perry seksuaalrevolutsiooniraamatut ("The Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A New Guide to Sex in the 21st Century"), siis tekib küsimus, et mida head sedasorti raamatud, nagu Sarai oma, maailmale annavad? Samas ma ütleks, et maailm ongi kirju ning raamat väljamõeldisena on vast üsna ohutu kraam, ei ole ju siin kannatanut ega ärakasutamist, versus pärismaailmainimestega vändatud pornofilmid. Aga natuke pani mõtlema küll eetilises plaanis, eriti kuna turvaseks nende kaante vahele küll ei olnud jõudnud. Samas kuna lugesin raamatu läbi, siis ilmselgelt mul moraalseid kõhklusi eriti polnud. Küll vahepeal muigasin, et kui ma loeksin bussis "Maajat", siis oleksin pervert. Kui loen näiteks kõnealust raamatut, siis olen intelligentne inimene. Sest see, kes loeb raamatuid, on ju intelligentne inimene. Oh jah.
Kui korra mõtelda erootilise kirjanduse peale, siis ega suurem osa sellest ongi nõrgake. Emma Deani "Spotted Her First" mulle pigem meeldis, kuna see mõjus meeldivalt. Poppy Z. Brite "Exquisite Corpse" pole rangelt võttes (minu arvates) erootiline kirjandus, pigem on see väga naturaalne lugu, kus oma oluline osa on ka sugulisel läbikäimisel. Pigem on nii, et leiab erootilisi kohti muust kirjanduses, näiteks John Grishami "Vihmameistris" on mitu imeilusat stseeni. Või siis pole ma nende õigete peale veel sattunud.
Kokkuvõtvalt: sain mis tahtsin. Lihtne, sirgjooneline, kerge lugemine, kus sügavat sisu pole mõtet otsida. Kes soovib saada erootilist... või pornograafilist romaani, siis palun, Lisabet Sarai looming on just õige suund, mille suunas piiluda.
P.S. Lõpp, viimane veerand, oli turbojabur. Raamatu eesmine osa jättis meeldivama mulje.
Kui hästi põgusalt puudutada raamatu sisu, siis peategelaseks on noor naine Katherine O'Neill, tarkvaraisener, kes läheb Taimaale tööle. Kodumaa lennujaamas kargutab teda mitmeaastane suhe David, võõral maal leiab ka Kate kiirelt uusi tutvuseid, kellega peale põgusat (ning ma räägin siin minutitest, pikimal juhul paarist tunnist) tutvust vahekorda asub. Siin on mehi ja naisi, Kate lambis põleb igasugune õli, ka teised osalised on väga vabameelsed. Erinevad seksseiklused on vaheldusrikkad; on halle varjundeid, kõik augud lähevad käiku ning minu jaoks kõige äärmuslikumal puhul määritakse vürtse sinna, kuhu minu arusaamist mööda pole neid küll vaja ning seejärel läheb rautamine edasi nii et on valus, kuum ja mõnus samaaegselt. Noh.... ma nüüd ei tea. Aga eks iga kokk käsitleb maitseaineid erinevalt, tai köök ongi siinkandi inimestele alguses harjumatu. Kate sulandub võõrasse kultuuri kiirelt ning pärismaailma hädad teda ei puuduta. Teate küll - menstruatsioon, turvaseks, rasedus, suguhaigused... siin raamatus sedasorti "asju" pole. Küll on aga igasuguseid muid põnevaid seiku, üks meeldejäävamaid oli mangoga seotud.
Ilmselt olete aru saanud, et see on üsna selge ja sirge põrutamisraamat, pole siin midagi häbeneda. Kusjuures lugedes oli mul pidevalt tunne, et autor on ilmselt mees. Sest see raamat on sisuliselt 70nendate pornofilm, mis on oma olemuses toodud kaasaega ning esitatud romaani kujul. Paarikümneleheküljelised peatükid, kus natuke aega keritakse mingit muud teemat, aga me kõik teame, mis saab edasi - ning "seda" on ikka pikalt ja põhjalikult, lehekülgede kaupa. Lisabet Sarai oskas mind küll üllatada... st kuidas ma nüüd ütlen, ega otseselt isegi ei üllatanud, lihtsalt, et ta meetoditevalik ning lai ampluaa tegevuskohtadest ja tegevustest oli kohati parajalt põrutav (heh-heh, ta ütles "põrutav"). Kunagi "Maajad" või ehk pigem "Sexeri" tüüpi ajakirjad olid sarnaseid lühijutte täis, Lisabet Sarai raamat on sarnane värk pikemal kujul, romaanina.
Sisu on pigem lihtsake ja kriitiliselt võttes on tegelased mõnevõrra kahemõõtmelised. Samas Kate pole ka täitsa mustvalge inimene, on ka temal omad kõhklused. Pealegi see, et inimesel seksuaalne energia üle ääre keeb, pole ju halb, vastupidi. Küll aga ei tasu ilmselgelt kõike siin raamatus võtta tõe pähe ja minna uisapäisa järgi proovima. Kui aga soovi on, miks ka mitte. Elu ei pea olema üheülbaline, seks ei pea olema misjonäris ja rangelt soo jätkamise eesmärgil. Elämä on laiffi.
Kui ma meenutan hiljuti loetud Louise Perry seksuaalrevolutsiooniraamatut ("The Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A New Guide to Sex in the 21st Century"), siis tekib küsimus, et mida head sedasorti raamatud, nagu Sarai oma, maailmale annavad? Samas ma ütleks, et maailm ongi kirju ning raamat väljamõeldisena on vast üsna ohutu kraam, ei ole ju siin kannatanut ega ärakasutamist, versus pärismaailmainimestega vändatud pornofilmid. Aga natuke pani mõtlema küll eetilises plaanis, eriti kuna turvaseks nende kaante vahele küll ei olnud jõudnud. Samas kuna lugesin raamatu läbi, siis ilmselgelt mul moraalseid kõhklusi eriti polnud. Küll vahepeal muigasin, et kui ma loeksin bussis "Maajat", siis oleksin pervert. Kui loen näiteks kõnealust raamatut, siis olen intelligentne inimene. Sest see, kes loeb raamatuid, on ju intelligentne inimene. Oh jah.
Kui korra mõtelda erootilise kirjanduse peale, siis ega suurem osa sellest ongi nõrgake. Emma Deani "Spotted Her First" mulle pigem meeldis, kuna see mõjus meeldivalt. Poppy Z. Brite "Exquisite Corpse" pole rangelt võttes (minu arvates) erootiline kirjandus, pigem on see väga naturaalne lugu, kus oma oluline osa on ka sugulisel läbikäimisel. Pigem on nii, et leiab erootilisi kohti muust kirjanduses, näiteks John Grishami "Vihmameistris" on mitu imeilusat stseeni. Või siis pole ma nende õigete peale veel sattunud.
Kokkuvõtvalt: sain mis tahtsin. Lihtne, sirgjooneline, kerge lugemine, kus sügavat sisu pole mõtet otsida. Kes soovib saada erootilist... või pornograafilist romaani, siis palun, Lisabet Sarai looming on just õige suund, mille suunas piiluda.
P.S. Lõpp, viimane veerand, oli turbojabur. Raamatu eesmine osa jättis meeldivama mulje.
December 22, 2024
Lovely and corrupt.
One of Kate O’Neill’s musing thoughts describes perfectly her adventure in the exotic Thailand city after she arrives. Hired to develop software for a local company, she escapes from an average life in Boston to the streets of Bangkok. But she is not ready for the sexual temptations of this bright and floral land, where very different scruples reign than in her native country. Torn between the man she left behind, the sweet loving care of an actual Prince and an arrogant demanding master, this Irish-American beauty is well indoctrinated into the loose morality of her new country.
Sarai’s prose is filled with gorgeous descriptions of the country she knows intimately, as well as the luscious menus that delight her characters and of course, the detailed, rollercoaster stories of sex in many flavors with various partners that leave Kate, her lovers, and the reader breathless. You’ll find yourself yearning for some adventures of your own long before you reach the final page.
One of Kate O’Neill’s musing thoughts describes perfectly her adventure in the exotic Thailand city after she arrives. Hired to develop software for a local company, she escapes from an average life in Boston to the streets of Bangkok. But she is not ready for the sexual temptations of this bright and floral land, where very different scruples reign than in her native country. Torn between the man she left behind, the sweet loving care of an actual Prince and an arrogant demanding master, this Irish-American beauty is well indoctrinated into the loose morality of her new country.
Sarai’s prose is filled with gorgeous descriptions of the country she knows intimately, as well as the luscious menus that delight her characters and of course, the detailed, rollercoaster stories of sex in many flavors with various partners that leave Kate, her lovers, and the reader breathless. You’ll find yourself yearning for some adventures of your own long before you reach the final page.
June 19, 2019
An interesting book from an interesting author, with some of the best sex scenes I’ve read.
However, for me the story didn’t hang together. A really talented young woman from a straight background in a Boston, all of a sudden takes a job in Bangkok where she has never been, and outside of her co-workers and staff, fucks the first two guys she meets: one a married man and the other a strip and live sex show club owner/operator.
She also finds out her boss is about to steal the breakthrough technology she is developing for the company. She doesn’t figure this out over time, she hears it all at once while hiding in a back alley.
I felt the relationships with her fuckbuddies were superficial. We really didn’t get to know her, let alone see her develop relationships with others.
As a story, I would give this a 3, but the writing style is so fluid and the sex so good, I’ve bumped it to a 4.
However, for me the story didn’t hang together. A really talented young woman from a straight background in a Boston, all of a sudden takes a job in Bangkok where she has never been, and outside of her co-workers and staff, fucks the first two guys she meets: one a married man and the other a strip and live sex show club owner/operator.
She also finds out her boss is about to steal the breakthrough technology she is developing for the company. She doesn’t figure this out over time, she hears it all at once while hiding in a back alley.
I felt the relationships with her fuckbuddies were superficial. We really didn’t get to know her, let alone see her develop relationships with others.
As a story, I would give this a 3, but the writing style is so fluid and the sex so good, I’ve bumped it to a 4.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2019
For those who like S&M
June 5, 2013
what a delicious, sensuous & delightfully twisted tale featuring sex between all manner of people, exotic settings & many uses for a variety of everyday things, at least everyday in Thailand. this was a good romp & a sexy read. i highly recommend it. while it was certainly romantic, it wasn't sickly sweet romance. if it hadn't been for the romantic aspect, i would have given this book a 5; however, that's my own penchant for the dark showing. which isn't fair. the characters are compelling, sexy & fun. the setting is exotic. the sex is kinky, wild & sensuous. i'd love to see a sequel with the MC & Gregory.
May 16, 2012
Raw Silk is a book that will seduce you from the first chapter. I loved the lush locale, the incredibly charming yet diverse lovers, and the intelligent female protagonist who explores her desires on her terms. A great read!
March 2, 2016
I liked the idea of the story. I gave the story only three stars because I did feel that juggling three different men is a little too much and didn't come together well. http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...
March 12, 2016
The story was definitely hot , but I found that it had to many players in the story for me. This was about Kate and her self discovery of who she is and wants to be but too many men made it a bit too much for me.
February 14, 2008
Set in Thailand, this is a very exotic, very sensual story. I'm learning a lot about BDSM from this story - very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews