I don't know where to begin but I guess there is always a starting point and I will start at the beginning. I must point out that I am not a prude; I read a variety of storylines with topics that are wide ranging but every once in a while a novel does not appeal to me and HUSSY, sad to say, will not make my list of recommendations or classic literature.
-I was warned by the author there is graphic depiction of sex and that the storyline contained subject matter that may be sensitive or shocking but the reader is promised it will work out in the end. So, I should have been prepared. I was. I wasn’t shocked at the content; I wasn’t surprised. I have read many storylines more graphic, more gritty and more abusive –Acheron/Styxx anyone? But, it was the context in which the details are presented. This wasn’t sex –this was something else. I have always said there are varying degrees when it comes to making love, sex, f@$*ing, and porn-and each falls into a definitive category.
- I will venture forth and try to explain why I had a difficult time with this particular book. I am not sure how to rate a storyline that left me so conflicted. Am I able to write a review without a rating-YES-and I thank Goodreads for this particular feature but without a star there is nothing to attract attention so 1* is what I will do !
REVIEW:
HUSSY is a story about a 17 year old girl who, for some reason not initially known to the reader, continues to put herself in sexually dangerous situations. I am not about blaming the victim, but there are fine lines when it comes to young women and the choices they make in life. YES, there is obviously a hidden past, mired in something so despicable, that the leading female character of Lindsey, continues to seek out boys and men who want nothing more than to degrade, abuse and violate a minor female for no other reason than she is a willing participant. But at some point, everything and every one, will cross the line and it is then that the story begins to take shape. But prior to this point in the novel, the story reads like written porn.
Lindsay is an immature young woman who actively seeks out sexual situations at any given opportunity and all men (and all ages) are considered fair play. The character is almost psychopathic in her need for sex (and stimulation) as she never considers the who, what and where of the act. If she cannot find a willing participant, she stimulates her self at every opportunity and in every way-with or without an audience.
Writing good erotica takes talent because at some point, many authors try to push the envelope and venture a little further with their erotic storylines. In some cases they succeed but in many (in my opinion) the stories border on written porn. One definition sees erotica as written for and by women; it can be sensual, stimulating and intriguing. But at some point, erotica turns into porn when there is no premise other than the shock value of what has occurred. In this, the first fifty percent of HUSSY is an adventure in shock value and one that will have some readers questioning what it is they are reading.
Now to the graphic language: It is here where I take the biggest offense in this particular storyline or any storyline that labels itself as erotic but feels the need to use graphic, pornographic foul language to make a point. In my opinion, the language in this particular novel is pornographic. I get it; the erotica genre uses sexual language but there comes a point when the use of some words becomes redundant and abusive to the audience. There was nothing stimulating, sexy or sensual about the graphic language. It was used to make a point; to project the characters situations and circumstance but at times it was unnecessary and like the female lead, I eventually zoned out. If a storyline loses me because of content, I will have a hard time finding my way back. And the extremely graphic language used pushed me away. There comes a point when the use of certain words pushed my proverbial buttons and I had reached my limit very quickly.
None of the characters are likeable: Even our hero Zach, the man who would pull Lindsey from the depths of sexual darkness and depravity is someone of whom I question his true intent. It is as though he is looking for someone to save and in Lindsey he has found the perfect victim. He wants to be a hero and his need to rescue Lindsey is evident from their very first meeting. And yes, Lindsey can be considered a victim of her circumstance.
I will not address the quality of the writing, or the usual review breakdown of flow, tension, pacing or originality because in the end, none of it mattered when the content literally left me depressed-not because of the premise, but because of the presentation. I couldn’t even feel sorry for the female lead-there was just nothing redeeming about the character even though she was a victim of her past.
In truth, I think if the content had been presented differently, I would have felt some empathy for Lindsey but I felt nothing. I was numb to her circumstances; I was numb to the abuse and in this, I was numb to any enjoyment or satisfaction in reading this book