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Subtext: A Modern Day Tale of Female Submission
Kate is a submissive.
In this candid account she explains exactly what that means and what exactly an independent, 21st Century woman gets out of relinquishing her power and personal freedom to a dominant man for their mutual pleasure. From the endorphin rush of her first spanking right through to being collared, Kate explains in frank and explicit fashion the road she travels as she reconciles her sexual needs with the rest of her life. She'd call it her journey if, in the current climate, that didn't make her sound like a reality TV reject. Suffice to say, if you've ever wondered how, when and why a woman would beg someone to cane her until she comes - or if that's even possible - then this is the book for you. And if you haven't, well this book will give you an insight into the deep end of a dating pool you never knew existed.
In this candid account she explains exactly what that means and what exactly an independent, 21st Century woman gets out of relinquishing her power and personal freedom to a dominant man for their mutual pleasure. From the endorphin rush of her first spanking right through to being collared, Kate explains in frank and explicit fashion the road she travels as she reconciles her sexual needs with the rest of her life. She'd call it her journey if, in the current climate, that didn't make her sound like a reality TV reject. Suffice to say, if you've ever wondered how, when and why a woman would beg someone to cane her until she comes - or if that's even possible - then this is the book for you. And if you haven't, well this book will give you an insight into the deep end of a dating pool you never knew existed.
- GenresBDSMEroticaNonfiction
213 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2010
4 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Kate Marley
3 books5 followersBy day Kate Marley is a mild mannered journalist (well mostly, although she gets cross at people not taking their turn making the tea). By night (and on holiday) she writes honestly - and with occasional bursts of sarcasm - about sex. She writes erotic fiction and non-fiction for publishers including Xcite and magazines including Foreplay and Desire Presents BDSM, where she has a regular column, “When Kate did...” which focuses on new sexual experiences and has seen her trying and then writing about erotic mummification and electroplay, among other things.
Focusing on D/s themes, and the anachronism of being an independent woman who enjoys submission, Kate’s first book “Subtext: A Modern Day Tale of Female Submission” came out this autumn. It’s had some very positive reviews so far, Kate’s favourite of which includes the immortal line ‘I will never look at chopsticks in the same way again’ [If you're interested, you can read the first chapter of the book at www.katemarley.com - although the chopsticks don't make an appearance].
Kate’s view on both sex and erotica is that life is too short to be po-faced, and her writing reflects that sense of fun. As well as enjoying writing, she is a voracious reader and since joining this site has found some fab new things to read in the erotica genre and beyond.
Focusing on D/s themes, and the anachronism of being an independent woman who enjoys submission, Kate’s first book “Subtext: A Modern Day Tale of Female Submission” came out this autumn. It’s had some very positive reviews so far, Kate’s favourite of which includes the immortal line ‘I will never look at chopsticks in the same way again’ [If you're interested, you can read the first chapter of the book at www.katemarley.com - although the chopsticks don't make an appearance].
Kate’s view on both sex and erotica is that life is too short to be po-faced, and her writing reflects that sense of fun. As well as enjoying writing, she is a voracious reader and since joining this site has found some fab new things to read in the erotica genre and beyond.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 15, 2011
First and foremost Subtext is erotica. So if you're looking solely for some sort of biography type book - well you might want to rethink a bit mate!
Kate's actually a feminist with a very good job - a job she is good at and takes very seriously. She's educated and intelligent and it shows. That might, in and of itself, take some readers by surprise if all they think about BDSM is of the cliches and stereotypes so prevalent about this community. Kate, wisely, recognizes early on that there is something different about herself. While she doesn't really get a chance to explore until college her recognition itself helps her to accept what she eventually comes to understand are her wants and needs as a submissive masochist.
Kate is a snarky and sarcastic narrator in this first person tale - so much so that you feel like you'd enjoy her among your friends. She's really quite engaging. That is fortunate since her voice is the novel. From the beginnings with the hairbrush and her American boyfriend to the end with Josh and toys far more sinister (*snarky grin*) she entrances and makes the reader want to keep reading.
In particular I enjoyed how some chapters were really scenes and they seemed encapsulated within that page span - almost like little vignette's within the story. It was an effective tool for me as a reader as it allowed me to "view" them and imagine them as a whole - not broken up across the narrative. I also loved the ingenious use of common household or store items - chopsticks, spoons, clothespins, and more. Not only is this book HOT but it's also educational - a twofer. Superb.
Remarkable as well is how Kate keeps her work and play life separate - there's really only one episode where the two are intertwined. This seems sensible and honest and comes off as authentic (not withstanding the below issue). It would have been even stronger if there would have been some dialogue and work scenes in the book - because as it is that part is all telling and no showing. I think Kate would have come off as more multifaceted had more been revealed. The narrative is strong, particularly the opening chapter, and the writing is very solid - clear and lucid without loosing the flow.
There were a few things that pulled me out of the story - the first is the level of pain. No two ways about it - Kate is what I've heard referred to as a pain slut. Sometimes it almost seems to go too far - too much pain that likely would leave injuries more severe than are mentioned in the book. Instead of the usual BDSM counts of 10, 20, or 30 Kate typically gets 100 of whatever she's getting. When you are talking about some heavy duty implements 100 is no small number - and although she mentions occasionally she feels like there should be blood that is never confirmed (although it is highly likely). It just seemed a bit much to me and I squirmed not in a good way. Even Josh is repelled by this - and he's the one doing it. So you know it goes further than most would be comfortable with. I definitely wondered how the hell she could go to work as one big huge bruised body - so again her devotion to her work and the way it is presented just didn't really jive with this level of pain being administered on a regular basis. Blunty sometimes I wondered how she could even walk.
The other part of this is that aftercare, which for me seems like it would be really critical, gets very little mention - and sometimes it is intentionally left out on the part of the Dom. Given the safe, sane, and consensual espoused in the book and the level of pain Kate experienced I really needed the aftercare to kind of "close the loop". Yet it was conspiciously absent a little too often for my comfort. In many BDSM books the experience of subspace is described but here I never really felt it - other than marginally - as Kate seemed always focused on the pain and it never seemed to lessen that much nor did it seem the endorphins kicked in for her as much as I might have expected. So there were times the pain really did seem more like torture than pleasure regardless of how Kate later related it or felt about it.
And, in the pain vein, the major thing that pulled me out of the story was the oft repeated phrase of that pain (the one for that particular scene) being the worst pain she'd ever felt. It came to be that I actually anticipated when that statement would show up. It impacted the, well, impact that the pain had on me. I guess I felt that it was just too much of a progression - and maybe not as real since it lent to the idea that every scene would have more pain than the last - and it seemed more plot device than natural story flow.
The last thing I found tough, as did Kate at times, was the verbal humiliation parts. However this is something that I can recognize would be very difficult for me personally so I certainly wouldn't mark down for it. Kate was clear in her need of it - but her extreme level of hatred of it made it hard to read for me. Hard to reconcile. As such I really didn't care, at all, for any of her Dom's. That presented something of a challenge, even though the book was really about Kate, because she was the only person I liked.
Overall though this is an excellent book - certainly erotic and intriguing. I also should confess that there were so many times when her words could have been mine - certainly this is a personal book. Novels, even erotica, often seem larger than life with characters that don't exist there in the real world we all live in. Subtext turns that on its toes - Kate does seem real and her thoughts and words will resonate with anyone who has questioned themselves like she does. I very much enjoyed the read and look forward to more books by this talented new author!
Kate's actually a feminist with a very good job - a job she is good at and takes very seriously. She's educated and intelligent and it shows. That might, in and of itself, take some readers by surprise if all they think about BDSM is of the cliches and stereotypes so prevalent about this community. Kate, wisely, recognizes early on that there is something different about herself. While she doesn't really get a chance to explore until college her recognition itself helps her to accept what she eventually comes to understand are her wants and needs as a submissive masochist.
Kate is a snarky and sarcastic narrator in this first person tale - so much so that you feel like you'd enjoy her among your friends. She's really quite engaging. That is fortunate since her voice is the novel. From the beginnings with the hairbrush and her American boyfriend to the end with Josh and toys far more sinister (*snarky grin*) she entrances and makes the reader want to keep reading.
In particular I enjoyed how some chapters were really scenes and they seemed encapsulated within that page span - almost like little vignette's within the story. It was an effective tool for me as a reader as it allowed me to "view" them and imagine them as a whole - not broken up across the narrative. I also loved the ingenious use of common household or store items - chopsticks, spoons, clothespins, and more. Not only is this book HOT but it's also educational - a twofer. Superb.
Remarkable as well is how Kate keeps her work and play life separate - there's really only one episode where the two are intertwined. This seems sensible and honest and comes off as authentic (not withstanding the below issue). It would have been even stronger if there would have been some dialogue and work scenes in the book - because as it is that part is all telling and no showing. I think Kate would have come off as more multifaceted had more been revealed. The narrative is strong, particularly the opening chapter, and the writing is very solid - clear and lucid without loosing the flow.
There were a few things that pulled me out of the story - the first is the level of pain. No two ways about it - Kate is what I've heard referred to as a pain slut. Sometimes it almost seems to go too far - too much pain that likely would leave injuries more severe than are mentioned in the book. Instead of the usual BDSM counts of 10, 20, or 30 Kate typically gets 100 of whatever she's getting. When you are talking about some heavy duty implements 100 is no small number - and although she mentions occasionally she feels like there should be blood that is never confirmed (although it is highly likely). It just seemed a bit much to me and I squirmed not in a good way. Even Josh is repelled by this - and he's the one doing it. So you know it goes further than most would be comfortable with. I definitely wondered how the hell she could go to work as one big huge bruised body - so again her devotion to her work and the way it is presented just didn't really jive with this level of pain being administered on a regular basis. Blunty sometimes I wondered how she could even walk.
The other part of this is that aftercare, which for me seems like it would be really critical, gets very little mention - and sometimes it is intentionally left out on the part of the Dom. Given the safe, sane, and consensual espoused in the book and the level of pain Kate experienced I really needed the aftercare to kind of "close the loop". Yet it was conspiciously absent a little too often for my comfort. In many BDSM books the experience of subspace is described but here I never really felt it - other than marginally - as Kate seemed always focused on the pain and it never seemed to lessen that much nor did it seem the endorphins kicked in for her as much as I might have expected. So there were times the pain really did seem more like torture than pleasure regardless of how Kate later related it or felt about it.
And, in the pain vein, the major thing that pulled me out of the story was the oft repeated phrase of that pain (the one for that particular scene) being the worst pain she'd ever felt. It came to be that I actually anticipated when that statement would show up. It impacted the, well, impact that the pain had on me. I guess I felt that it was just too much of a progression - and maybe not as real since it lent to the idea that every scene would have more pain than the last - and it seemed more plot device than natural story flow.
The last thing I found tough, as did Kate at times, was the verbal humiliation parts. However this is something that I can recognize would be very difficult for me personally so I certainly wouldn't mark down for it. Kate was clear in her need of it - but her extreme level of hatred of it made it hard to read for me. Hard to reconcile. As such I really didn't care, at all, for any of her Dom's. That presented something of a challenge, even though the book was really about Kate, because she was the only person I liked.
Overall though this is an excellent book - certainly erotic and intriguing. I also should confess that there were so many times when her words could have been mine - certainly this is a personal book. Novels, even erotica, often seem larger than life with characters that don't exist there in the real world we all live in. Subtext turns that on its toes - Kate does seem real and her thoughts and words will resonate with anyone who has questioned themselves like she does. I very much enjoyed the read and look forward to more books by this talented new author!
December 27, 2010
It is really hard to "rate" or "review" a memoir/autobiography such at this. I suppose the best I could do in this case is talk about the writing style.
First off, Subtext is not your normal, average memoir, book or even collection of thoughts. It's a book that deals with modern-day female submission in the D/s scene (that's Dominant/submissive, for those of you not in the know). Most stories published in this realm are, for starters, fiction, or at least fiction-wrapped non-fiction. But Kate Marley didn't want to do it that way, which is why Subtext is such a powerful piece of literature.
It took me quite a while to read this book. Usually that means I hate it, and am just forcing my way through it, or it means I love it so much that I am forcing myself to slow down. In this case, it was a strange mix of both. Because Kate Marley doesn't really hold back (she has a very matter-of-fact, tell-it-like-it-is voice) at times even I was, if not shocked, then a little worried as to the context. Then I'd have to put the book aside and wait a week or two before continuing.
I think the worst, and probably also the best, part of this memoir was the knowledge, that while reading, all of this actually happened. It was real. Tangible. If I met Kate on the street, I'd know this about her now. It made certain events, that if I read them in fiction don't bother me at all, seem a lot more real (one word here: chopsticks).
One of my friends, when I mentioned this book to him, asked me if Kate wasn't bothered by the fact that "most people would buy this book to wank over" and now, after having read it, I have to say that if anyone buys this just to wank over, then they are seriously missing the whole point of the book. In which case, they'll probably be moving on to another book pretty fast since Kate Marley tells her life like it happens and doesn't just write D/s sex scene after sex scene (like you find so often in erotica these days).
I was a little disappointed that Kate focused so much on just this short span of her life (albeit in much detail!) and then wouldn't give a name in the epilogue of her Dom (smart author tactic, but cruel, oh so cruel).
As a break-through work on this subject, though, I feel that Kate definitely did it justice. Overall, and throughout the book, she always comes back to the psychological aspect (what is REALLY going on her mind) which comes together at the end when she actually talks about what she needs with one of her partners. This has always been for me the most interesting part of the D/s world. And although I doubt anyone understands the real "why", being able to identify that you need things like submission, humiliation, pain, dominance over yourself in a sexual fashion is already such a leap forward. It's not so much part of the "anything goes" era, as it is part of identifying yourself, and finding yourself.
There is one thing that I wish Kate had talked about (because it is never ever talked about, which makes no sense to me) and that is how she, as a woman, deals with her period in such context. This is glossed over in almost every single book, and yet it is something that women have to deal with on a monthly basis. You'd think someone would have the courage to break the taboo and talk about what was really going on (I mean, if you can mention spunk and cum, and your clit and being beaten and what's going on in your mind, and being put on display etc etc etc, you'd think you could talk about something so much part of a woman as her period as well). Still, perhaps it is too messy and too "out there" for 99% of the world to handle (or even write about). Not having included this, though, didn't detract from the story. Just made me wonder a few times as to how the chronologically actually played itself out.
In conclusion, I am amazed that Kate published this book. That she can still hold her head up high. I don't think that I could do it and be able to face my co-workers and family, since sexual practices ought to remain private (well, for me, personally, they ought to. What other people choose works for them). For that itself, she deserves commendation. It was amazing reading this story, including all the shocking bits. Kate takes a genre that doesn't have much written in it (the non-fiction aspect, that is) and puts her own amazing self on the line to tell her real story. She's like my mix of super-hero and goddess now! Thank you for writing this story, Kate.
First off, Subtext is not your normal, average memoir, book or even collection of thoughts. It's a book that deals with modern-day female submission in the D/s scene (that's Dominant/submissive, for those of you not in the know). Most stories published in this realm are, for starters, fiction, or at least fiction-wrapped non-fiction. But Kate Marley didn't want to do it that way, which is why Subtext is such a powerful piece of literature.
It took me quite a while to read this book. Usually that means I hate it, and am just forcing my way through it, or it means I love it so much that I am forcing myself to slow down. In this case, it was a strange mix of both. Because Kate Marley doesn't really hold back (she has a very matter-of-fact, tell-it-like-it-is voice) at times even I was, if not shocked, then a little worried as to the context. Then I'd have to put the book aside and wait a week or two before continuing.
I think the worst, and probably also the best, part of this memoir was the knowledge, that while reading, all of this actually happened. It was real. Tangible. If I met Kate on the street, I'd know this about her now. It made certain events, that if I read them in fiction don't bother me at all, seem a lot more real (one word here: chopsticks).
One of my friends, when I mentioned this book to him, asked me if Kate wasn't bothered by the fact that "most people would buy this book to wank over" and now, after having read it, I have to say that if anyone buys this just to wank over, then they are seriously missing the whole point of the book. In which case, they'll probably be moving on to another book pretty fast since Kate Marley tells her life like it happens and doesn't just write D/s sex scene after sex scene (like you find so often in erotica these days).
I was a little disappointed that Kate focused so much on just this short span of her life (albeit in much detail!) and then wouldn't give a name in the epilogue of her Dom (smart author tactic, but cruel, oh so cruel).
As a break-through work on this subject, though, I feel that Kate definitely did it justice. Overall, and throughout the book, she always comes back to the psychological aspect (what is REALLY going on her mind) which comes together at the end when she actually talks about what she needs with one of her partners. This has always been for me the most interesting part of the D/s world. And although I doubt anyone understands the real "why", being able to identify that you need things like submission, humiliation, pain, dominance over yourself in a sexual fashion is already such a leap forward. It's not so much part of the "anything goes" era, as it is part of identifying yourself, and finding yourself.
There is one thing that I wish Kate had talked about (because it is never ever talked about, which makes no sense to me) and that is how she, as a woman, deals with her period in such context. This is glossed over in almost every single book, and yet it is something that women have to deal with on a monthly basis. You'd think someone would have the courage to break the taboo and talk about what was really going on (I mean, if you can mention spunk and cum, and your clit and being beaten and what's going on in your mind, and being put on display etc etc etc, you'd think you could talk about something so much part of a woman as her period as well). Still, perhaps it is too messy and too "out there" for 99% of the world to handle (or even write about). Not having included this, though, didn't detract from the story. Just made me wonder a few times as to how the chronologically actually played itself out.
In conclusion, I am amazed that Kate published this book. That she can still hold her head up high. I don't think that I could do it and be able to face my co-workers and family, since sexual practices ought to remain private (well, for me, personally, they ought to. What other people choose works for them). For that itself, she deserves commendation. It was amazing reading this story, including all the shocking bits. Kate takes a genre that doesn't have much written in it (the non-fiction aspect, that is) and puts her own amazing self on the line to tell her real story. She's like my mix of super-hero and goddess now! Thank you for writing this story, Kate.
August 29, 2012
***Giving this 5 stars just so I can go back and give 50 Shades one.***
OMG guy #3 has two kittens. Too cute! HAHAHA!
So after reading (or rather, trying to finish reading and failing) 50 Shades and being like, 'DA FUQ?!?!' [*cough* bad writing, bad characterisation, felt like it was written by a 12 year old], I thought, hell, I need some enlightenment. And this book showed up on the left side of goodreads (advertised or something) and I checked out the reviews and it actually looks good.
So I got it for like $8 because I figured, that's still cheaper than a movie ticket!
Also, after a friend who works in a bookshop sent me this email she got:
'HARPERCOLLINS AUSTRALIA BUYS WORLD RIGHTS TO THREE EROTIC NOVELS
FOR A SIX-FIGURE SUM
DESTINED TO PLAY BY INDIGO BLOOME'
I was like 'wtf maybe I should write kinky romance novels too since I'd get 6 figures - I could quit uni, pay off all my HECS debt, retire early...' but then I realised I am too cynical to do so.
Started reading it and wow, it is intriguing and insightful. It's kind of an autobiography/memoir/coming-of-age, and it's well-written. Despite the author here and also frakking Ana from 50 Shades both being uni students, unlike Ana, you can tell the author is not a stupid b***h. She's intelligent, actually independent (rather than the description given by the author attempting to convey that the female 'protagonist' is strong *cough* 50 Shades and Twilight, *cough*), and strong-willed.
You have to be open-minded when you read this, otherwise you get the same 'WTF' feel from 50 Shades, except the writing here is amusing, humorous and not shite.
P.S. It's a quick read, friends, feel free to borrow. There's a couple of wet marks on it and that's because I spilt green tea on it and dripped apple juice on the pages whilst eating an apple and reading at the same time. Nothing dodgy. I promise.
OMG guy #3 has two kittens. Too cute! HAHAHA!
So after reading (or rather, trying to finish reading and failing) 50 Shades and being like, 'DA FUQ?!?!' [*cough* bad writing, bad characterisation, felt like it was written by a 12 year old], I thought, hell, I need some enlightenment. And this book showed up on the left side of goodreads (advertised or something) and I checked out the reviews and it actually looks good.
So I got it for like $8 because I figured, that's still cheaper than a movie ticket!
Also, after a friend who works in a bookshop sent me this email she got:
'HARPERCOLLINS AUSTRALIA BUYS WORLD RIGHTS TO THREE EROTIC NOVELS
FOR A SIX-FIGURE SUM
DESTINED TO PLAY BY INDIGO BLOOME'
I was like 'wtf maybe I should write kinky romance novels too since I'd get 6 figures - I could quit uni, pay off all my HECS debt, retire early...' but then I realised I am too cynical to do so.
Started reading it and wow, it is intriguing and insightful. It's kind of an autobiography/memoir/coming-of-age, and it's well-written. Despite the author here and also frakking Ana from 50 Shades both being uni students, unlike Ana, you can tell the author is not a stupid b***h. She's intelligent, actually independent (rather than the description given by the author attempting to convey that the female 'protagonist' is strong *cough* 50 Shades and Twilight, *cough*), and strong-willed.
You have to be open-minded when you read this, otherwise you get the same 'WTF' feel from 50 Shades, except the writing here is amusing, humorous and not shite.
P.S. It's a quick read, friends, feel free to borrow. There's a couple of wet marks on it and that's because I spilt green tea on it and dripped apple juice on the pages whilst eating an apple and reading at the same time. Nothing dodgy. I promise.
May 8, 2012
ok, so let me first start of by saying that the ONLY reason why I picked up this book was for some much needed insight on BSDM - After reading Fifty Shades of "awful" - I could not for the life of me understand what the attraction to it was. How was it possible for a book, that in my opinion was so degrading to women and poorly written be so popular. I decided to try to read this book in an effort to gain some knowledge as to why a woman would succumb to this.
This book accomplishes just that. She gave you a first hand perspective on how she became involved in this lifestyle - you really can get a clear perspective on how this lifestyle evolved for her. It was painful to read at times yet she is clear as to why she continues to choose this path. She is a clear writer - British slang at times. Graphic. So definitely not for the faint of heart.
Is it for me. Nope. Clearly I am a prude through and through. I still do not understand why a woman would choose to have a man beat her into submission for pleasure. I appreciate that this book did just what the author set out to do. I give her credit for being able to put herself out there in the way that she did for people like me to try to gain some insight into the world of D/S.
My rating for the book I felt was appropriate not because this is my favorite book - not by a long shot - it was more of a research project for me to read this - but because the author accomplished what she set out to do - and I can appreciate decent writing -
Will I set off on a journey to read more books like this, no. Not my thing but I appreciate Kate Morley's outright openness to share her story for prudes like me. Happy "wanking".
This book accomplishes just that. She gave you a first hand perspective on how she became involved in this lifestyle - you really can get a clear perspective on how this lifestyle evolved for her. It was painful to read at times yet she is clear as to why she continues to choose this path. She is a clear writer - British slang at times. Graphic. So definitely not for the faint of heart.
Is it for me. Nope. Clearly I am a prude through and through. I still do not understand why a woman would choose to have a man beat her into submission for pleasure. I appreciate that this book did just what the author set out to do. I give her credit for being able to put herself out there in the way that she did for people like me to try to gain some insight into the world of D/S.
My rating for the book I felt was appropriate not because this is my favorite book - not by a long shot - it was more of a research project for me to read this - but because the author accomplished what she set out to do - and I can appreciate decent writing -
Will I set off on a journey to read more books like this, no. Not my thing but I appreciate Kate Morley's outright openness to share her story for prudes like me. Happy "wanking".
December 30, 2010
Ok this was a weird one! I loved it and yet at some points I wanted to stop reading it. It is a truly candid account of a submissive embarking on her journey into the BDSM.
Firstly I must point out that Kate is a masochist. That what gets her off is extreme bouts of pain and novel ways of humiliating her is what she craves. If you can't read this don't even pick this
book up. I thought I could deal but at certain points I found the extreme pain Kate needed hard to read. Both males
she is involved in this book (Russell
and Josh) are sadists but somehow I still liked reading about them. By the end of the book I had fell hook line and sinker for Josh!
This is a book about self discovery. The characters have to go a long way to accept what they need and not to hate themselves for it. I loved it but I recommend it with caution. It isn't for everyone!
Firstly I must point out that Kate is a masochist. That what gets her off is extreme bouts of pain and novel ways of humiliating her is what she craves. If you can't read this don't even pick this
book up. I thought I could deal but at certain points I found the extreme pain Kate needed hard to read. Both males
she is involved in this book (Russell
and Josh) are sadists but somehow I still liked reading about them. By the end of the book I had fell hook line and sinker for Josh!
This is a book about self discovery. The characters have to go a long way to accept what they need and not to hate themselves for it. I loved it but I recommend it with caution. It isn't for everyone!
October 19, 2012
- How kinky?
Quite. Marley knows kink; this isn't a 50 Shades of Grey-inspired romp with silk scarves and hand-spanking. This is a bedroom-submissive experimenting with everything from corsets to ownership, toys to orgies. She digs humiliation and obedience, and that is the main plotline throughout - the obedience. She's good at it!
- How sexy?
Not as much as you'd think. As mentioned in my previous review, she is so straightforward and matter-of-fact that it kind of breaks the sensuality of the scenes. There are a lot of details she leaves out, and she tells you there's more to the story than is printed, so it does leave you wanting more. Reading it is more like having a conversation with a raunchy friend - it'll get you hot and bothered, yes, but you'll always wish it was just one step closer to actual erotica. Well, I did anyway.
- How informative (for non-fiction) or inspiring (for fiction)?
This book, in a way, is both fiction and non-fiction. What I mean is, it is non-fiction, but isn't a dry reference book, so I can't really call it "informative". It reads like fiction, and my man is convinced it has been fictionalised and sensationalised - not knowing the author I really couldn't say. But, between informative and inspiring, I'd have to go with inspiring. It has some great ideas, some great fantasies, and in a way, it could almost be used as a fun intro into bedroom D/s for beginners - people who think that 50 Shades of Grey is kinky might have their eyes opened by the much deeper, more real scenes and language depicted here. Plus it's so easy to read!
- How engaging?
Very. I love reading this book, every time. Hate putting it down. I think just the fact that I'm currently reading it for the fourth time tells you just how engaging it can be :)
- How well executed?
Very. As I mentioned in the earlier review, the author is a journalist, so she really knows how to string a sentence together. The writing is easy to follow, easy to get into, and her vocabulary and grammar are impressive. None of this "Oh, holy shit!" writing of certain other "kink" books I could name (is it obvious how much I hate E. L. James? I know, I hide it well.)
- Overall reaction
The only thing about this book that annoys me is the author's apparent self-loathing about her own proclivities. Frequently, and I mean at least once every chapter and in several cases many times, she mentions the "fury" she feels when ordered around, the "anger" that rises up whenever she hears certain words or phrases. She is so stubborn, argumentative and reluctant to give in that I start to wonder if maybe she has deep-seated issues about why she submits. She seems to hate that she is a sub and feels frequently embarrassed about her reactions to scenes. It comes across like she finds it difficult to just accept it, go with the flow and just be. As someone who has taken years to get to the "complete self-acceptance and non-questioning" stage of kinkiness, I find it difficult to relate to Marley's particular brand of fury and anger at being ordered around. It doesn't mean she's not a sub - quite the opposite, as she never fails to do what is asked of her and she is actually impressively obedient. I'm just pointing out that it slows my reading down as I get a bit frustrated with her sometimes.
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December 8, 2010
The last few books I’ve read have been MM erotic romance. This week I changed up the pace and read a story of female submission. It’s well-written erotica. The author, Kate Marley, has a great voice, making it an engaging 4 star read for me.
The narrator is an educated woman with a good job. It was during her time in college that she started to explore her interest in BDSM. She describes her journey from first experience, a spanking, to being collared.
Kate doesn’t pull any punches. The sex scenes are hot and very explicit and involve a variety of toys. If you’ve ever wondered about the life of a submissive and why a woman would want to be dominated sexually, SUBTEXT will give you that insight. But if verbal humiliation and pain make you squirm, and not in a good way, then this book isn’t for you.
The narrator is an educated woman with a good job. It was during her time in college that she started to explore her interest in BDSM. She describes her journey from first experience, a spanking, to being collared.
Kate doesn’t pull any punches. The sex scenes are hot and very explicit and involve a variety of toys. If you’ve ever wondered about the life of a submissive and why a woman would want to be dominated sexually, SUBTEXT will give you that insight. But if verbal humiliation and pain make you squirm, and not in a good way, then this book isn’t for you.
February 6, 2011
Deeper and more introspective then I thought it would be. Frightened at how relatable I found Kate to be; stubborn, competative, enjoying challenges and of being pushed to see where a boundry falls. I could easily picture myself having her reactions. Doing what she allowed to be done to her? That's an entirely different answer. I really can't picture that so easily.
Eric and I have read pieces of the book together and discussed. Interesting results.
Eric and I have read pieces of the book together and discussed. Interesting results.
July 4, 2011
This was definately a story that lingered on my mind for days... not your tipycal book on the subject of female submission but is written in a way that is very easy to read and even funny sometimes.
Having said that, there were times that were a bit difficult to read but just because of the sheer amount of pain; must point here that her doms tend to be sadista, and I guess that makes the female a masochist, but nevertheless worth reading.
Having said that, there were times that were a bit difficult to read but just because of the sheer amount of pain; must point here that her doms tend to be sadista, and I guess that makes the female a masochist, but nevertheless worth reading.
October 29, 2010
Very sexy read. I really didn't have time to read it today but after getting a few paragraphs in I put everything else aside.
June 10, 2012
I'm ashamed to admit that I actually enjoyed reading this book. Frank and honest account of a young woman's tussle with accepting her submissive nature.
October 5, 2012
What 50 Shades of Grey could have been.
August 16, 2013
It was written in a very funny and compelling way. It was really being in the head of a sexually submissive woman, although not submissive in any other way. I liked it, she made sense...
Want to read
August 15, 201250 Shades what have you done to meeee
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