Celestial Reviews 167 - March 26, 1997
Note: Remember: even though someone else may be posting my stories for
me, my e-mail address is still Celeste801@aol.com.
- Celeste
"Seduction of the Beloved" by Summer's Rose (mild bondage)
10, 10, 10
"Just the Facts" by Imma Scared (rape) 4, 5, 3
"Knock Knock" by Unknown Author (D&s) 4, 5, 5
"Hyla" by Michael (bondage) 10, 10, 10
"Guided Visualization" by Delta (romantic mood) 10, 10, 9
"The Real McCoys" by Shelby Bush (sitcom parody) 10, 10, 10
"Sweet Home Chicago" by Gregarious (sex at an outdoor concert)
10, 10, 10
"Dreams of a Distant Lover" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (love
letter) 10, 8, 8
"Meditation on Human Relations" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(meditation) 10, 8, 8
"The Masks We Wear" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (romance)
10, 9, 8
"Would You Live for Me?" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(vampire sex) 10, 9, 8
* "Chantal" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (hot ff sex) 10, 10, 10
* "Composition in Cream and Chocolate" by Mary Anne
Mohanraj (hot sex with stripper) 10, 10, 10
* "Jinsong" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (poetic cybersex) 10, 10, 10
* "Diana" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (bacchanalia with Diana)
10, 10, 10
* "Newhart: The Made Maid" by Uncle Mike (sitcom parody)
10, 10, 10
* = Repost of a previous review (because the story has
recently been reposted)
"Seduction of the Beloved" by Summer's Rose (SumersRose@aol.com).
There's really not much to this plot, just a short but vivid focus on a
woman who binds her husband's hands and teases him to the point of
ecstasy, and then releases him in time for him to drive her over the
edge as well. Normally I don't like the second person (you) narrative.
When somebody calls the reader "you," I think I should be able to
identify with that person; yet I identify with the "I" person in this
story. But this little vignette is otherwise so hot that I'll forgive
this one little peculiarity.
Ratings for "Seduction of the Beloved"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Just the Facts" by Imma Scared (forceme@bigfoot.com). This story is
allegedly written by a woman who likes to write forced sex stories. OK,
if you say so.
The guy has been stalking the girl. He grabs her and takes her to his
place. Then he talks nasty to her and forces himself on her. If you
enjoy this story, and/or have ideas on how the author should continue.
you should contact him. I have no idea why this story has this title -
except maybe it's just the facts and no grammar or emotions.
Ratings for "Just the Facts"
Athena (technical quality): 4
Venus (plot & character): 5
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 3
"Knock Knock" by Unknown Author (THC Archive). The girl is late for the
date; and so when she arrives at his apartment, the guy spanks her and
then has sex with her. She loves being punished and dominated like
this.
I need a story like this once in a while. It makes my own sex life seem
so much more interesting.
Ratings for "Just the Facts"
Athena (technical quality): 4
Venus (plot & character): 5
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 5
"Hyla" by Michael (michaelml@aol.com). Ray N. Velez at
ii361@cleveland.Freenet.Edu has begun posting a series of stories
labeled "A+ Story: Name of Story by Name of Author." I have seen only a
few of these so far, but they look extremely good. It appears that Ray
is deliberately selecting stories that he thinks are of high quality,
and he shows good judgment. In addition, he posts the names of the
authors. I appreciate this kind of service, and I encourage you to let
Ray know if you also value his efforts. I have already reviewed several
of these stories in past issues of CR, and I'll try to repost my reviews
when I see Ray repost one of these stories. In addition, I'll try to
review some more of them when I have time.
The present story is about a woman who finds herself securely but
voluntarily bound in her bed by her lover. As much as she tries to
escape, she can't; and as much as she becomes frustrated, the more she
enjoys the pleasure that her lover is bestowing on her. He seems to be
happy too.
I occasionally complain that bondage and humiliation stories seem
unrealistic to me, because I cannot understand how a mentally stable
person could enjoy being with a person who is determined to inflict pain
on her for his own selfish gratification. This story does not fall into
that trap; it makes perfect sense to me. The difference, of course, is
that the lover is devoting his attention to HER gratification, not his.
The feeling that I am completely in the hands of a person wanting to
satisfy me even beyond the point where I would satisfy myself is quite
different from the humiliation I read about in other stories. This is
an excellent story.
Ratings for "Hyla"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Guided Visualization" by Delta. This is part of the "A+ Stories"
series that I mentioned in the preceding review. Delta is one of my
all-time favorite authors; but if I wanted to pick one of her stories to
include in this series, this one would be my least most likely pick.
If I wanted to select my favorite story by Delta, I would have chosen
"Anything," "Strip Chess," or "KIN."
This story describes a woman becoming very peacefully aroused by the
image in her mind of the voice of her lover, who has control over her,
yet is controlled by her. There is no explicit sex in the story - just
a beautiful, peaceful image.
Ratings for "Guided Visualization"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 9
"The Real McCoys" by Shelby Bush (stbush@iglou.com). Grandpappy Amos
(played by Walter Brennan with a limp) has to go into town "to get
himself a hoe." The hoe's name is Carmelita. Meanwhile, back at the
ranch, Little Luke has been peeping into his sister Hassie's bedroom to
watch her get dressed; but now he's in deep shit, because she has caught
him in the act. Out in the barn, Pepino and Maria are going at it like
bunnies in heat in a secret compartment under bales of hay. That leaves
Luke and Kate, doing what newlyweds are supposed to do.
This episode's sitcom problems are easily resolved. Hassie teaches
Little Luke to do it with no hands. Pepino (who looks a little like an
organ grinder) introduces Maria to El Grande. Hassie stops calling
Little Luke little. Somebody somewhere says, "Fuck me, senor!" while
someone somewhere else watches Luke and Kate do what newlyweds do.
Sharing each others' sorrows,
Enjoyin' each others' joys.
Like all other fam'lies they quarrel and fuss
But it ain't never serious,
With Grandpappy Amos and the girls and the boys
Of the family known as the real McCoys.
Ratings for "The Real McCoys"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Sweet Home Chicago" by Gregarious (gregarious@poboxes.com). The man
goes to the park near Lake Michigan in Chicago for a blues concert. He
meets a young woman in the crowd whose ethnicity is different from his
but whose love for the blues rivals his own. They become friendly, and
when the rain begins to fall, they find it necessary to cuddle up under
a blanket. It turns out that people can do some wonderful things under
the influence of good music in a pouring rain. The curtain call takes
place at her apartment. This is an exceptionally good story.
Ratings for "Sweet Home Chicago"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Dreams of a Distant Lover" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu).
The protagonist (apparently, but not certainly, a man) is writing a
letter to his lover, who is probably a woman. He has never met her -
they are either penpals or cyberlovers. He tells her of his dreams
about her. This is not a real hot story, but rather a tender expression
of emotions.
Ratings for "Dreams of a Distant Lover"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 8
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
"Meditation on Human Relations" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(mohanraj@mills.edu). The narrator begins writing a quick short story
for its jerk-off value but winds up writing about the meaning of sexual
activity. This is a very short piece that shows an interesting change
of pace between the beginning and the end.
Ratings for "Meditation on Human Relations"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 8
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
"The Masks We Wear" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). The man
and woman have apparently had a difficult break-up the night before
after a long time together. This morning they make love one last time
with feeling. Afterwards, she wonders how many times this drama will be
re-enacted before it is finally finished.
Ratings for "The Masks We Wear"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 9
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
"Would You Live For Me?" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu).
This is more of a vampire story than a sex story. I know a lot more
about sex than I do about vampires - which is just as well, because sex
is real, I think. The author does an excellent job of blending together
some basic "facts" about vampires with the emotions of a young man who
can save his lover's life only by giving himself and the lover over to a
vampire whom he finds in a local cemetery.
The reason I have reviewed four stories by Mary Anne Mohanraj in this
issue is because I wanted to draw attention to her work. She has
recently published her book, "Torn Shapes of Desire: Internet Erotica,"
a collection of short stories with photographs by Tracy Lee. The book's
official publication date is March 31, but you can order a copy now.
The publisher says that Mary Anne Mohanraj has a unique approach to
erotica, setting her writing apart from the rest of the genre. "I write
stories with strong consenting women, to remind people that strong women
are sexy and that consent is crucial," she says in the Introduction to
the book. "I write stories with characters of various sexual
orientations and genders, to spread a little awareness. Mainly, I try to
write stories with real people -- people who love and hate and fear and
sometimes have sex for all the wrong reasons; people who have lives and
hopes and dreams beyond the immediate sex act. I'm trying to shape a
healthier world...."
I suppose what you should do to help the cause is walk into you local
bookstore or library and ask for the book. You can get more details
about the book from the publisher at http://www.iam.com/books.
The stories that I have reviewed above are good stories, but they are
NOT among Mary Anne's best. These are "remainders" that Mary Anne sent
me after I had already reviewed many, many excellent stories by her.
I'll repost reviews of four of my favorites. My advice is that you can
safely pick up any story by this author and expect an enjoyable and
rewarding reading session.
Ratings for "Would You Live For Me?"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 9
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
* "Chantal" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). No offense to
the rest of you authors out there - and I may say the same thing about
someone else right after I have read his or her story - but Mary Anne
Mohanraj may be the best writer to post stories on this group. I would
be absolutely astonished if this author has not written other stories
that have gained recognition in high-quality, mainstream, non-erotic
publications.
A lesbian woman is comforting a non-lesbian friend to whom she is non-
reciprocally attracted and who has recently broken up with a jerk of a
guy. She longs to hug and caress her friend and to make tender love to
Chantal, but she knows that any attempt at closeness will drive Chantal
away. A knock comes at the door; it is a phony pizza man, who threatens
to kill the woman unless Chantal surrenders herself to his will. At the
crucial moment the woman breaks free and demands that the man rape her
instead of Chantal. The rapist at first seems ready to comply, but then
he tells the two women to get it on together for him. Ironically, the
woman's attempt to rescue Chantal will enable her to achieve her fondest
desire - but under highly undesirable circumstances.
I've told you all but the very end of the story; but I think you'll
still find immense pleasure in reading this well-crafted and highly
erotic story.
Ratings for "Chantal"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Composition in Cream and Chocolate" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(mohanraj@mills.edu). I found it difficult to determine exactly what
was happening in this story. After reading a paragraph or two I often
found myself reaching a point where I gained a new piece of information
and had to back up to fit it into the picture that was gradually
emerging in my mind's eye. This ambiguity is not a flaw; it's
intentional - end it's very well done.
The theme is unusual: a male stripper gradually revealing himself and
offering his attentions to a female patron. I have never attended such
a show myself, and all my vicarious experiences have consisted of films
and stories about female strippers. I HAVE gone with my husband to bars
with striptease dancers (while we've been away at conventions - so that
none of my students will see me entering the establishment and so that I
won't accidentally discover one of my coworkers at her night job.) My
impression has invariably been one of disappointment; the dancers were
simply not very sexy. They seemed to be in worse shape than myself,
bored with their jobs, and concerned primarily about squeezing tips out
of patrons before putting on a tawdry display that wasn't really sexy at
all. Nevertheless, it seems reasonable to FANTASIZE about exotic
dancers in terms of wonderment; and this story turns the tables by
making a male dancer the center of attention. I guess what we have here
is the male stripper equivalent of the ideal lap dance. This was a new
and very erotic experience for me.
The show starts in near darkness, as does our understanding of what is
going on. Even at the end of the story, I wasn't sure exactly what had
happened. The sex had been explicit, though conducted by candlelight in
a dark room; but questions remained unanswered. All along I had assumed
that the woman was a patron - but at the end we hear an audience
applauding. And near the very end we have a reference to a pile of
cream and chocolate skin; and I am struck with the realization that the
woman is brown-skinned and the man is white. OK; the two must BOTH be
dancers, and they've been putting on a show for an audience.... That's
why it's called "Composition in Cream and Chocolate." Wait a minute!
I'm going to have to reread major parts of this erotic narrative - maybe
even the whole thing - to see if my new theory fits. Gee, that's too
bad. I'm already turned on, and you can never tell what a second
reading is going to do to me....
In recent reviews I have railed against what I have called a demeaning
use of interracial sex in some of the stories. This story does NOT fall
into that category. The skin color is part of the ambiance - music,
skin color, facial features, nipples, actions, etc. - that create a
sexually charged, poetic atmosphere. This is an excellent story. This
author has a whole collection of her stories on the Web at
http://www.iam.com/maryanne.
Ratings for "Composition in Cream and Chocolate"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Jinsong" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). There's
incredible variety in this author's writings. This story started
slowly. At first I was concerned that I might have accidentally
downloaded somebody's garbled e-mail instead of the story I had
expected. Then I realized that the story was written in the form of e-
mail messages between a woman with the "handle" Jinsong (who has just
broken up with her boyfriend) and a Pennsylvanian named Matthew Danzener
(a shy guy who at first seems incapable of romance). Matthew is
extremely awkward in his communications, except when he speaks in
poetry. After a few mundane messages, Matthew hits Jinsong with a 627-
word poem that describes his anticipated first date with Jinsong. What
he wants to do is actually pretty tame; but it sure sounds great the way
he puts it. You'll have to read the story yourself. It's impossible to
convey its mood without the e-mail and the poetry.
Ratings for "Jinsong"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Diana" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). The young man,
just a few years out of college and a bit disillusioned with the way his
life has gone, has gone off for a couple of days of hiking in the
Berkshire forest. Thinking he is alone, he is surprised to hear the
sound of a woman's voice; and when he follows that sound he comes to a
clearing in which there are seven blonde women and one red-head - all
beautiful and all naked. What has he stumbled onto? He realizes that
he won't be welcome, and he starts to retreat; but suddenly he is
summoned to join them. Does this sound interesting? Then read this
well-written story. If you're familiar with Robert Frost's poetry,
you'll probably get a little more out of it than you would otherwise.
And it won't hurt to recall that Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt
and of the moon and the protectress or women.
I love this author! I'm tempted to make my students read this story for
English class, but then I'd have to explain where I got it. Actually,
it will be easier simply to forbid them to read it; they'll enjoy it
more that way.
Ratings for "Diana"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Newhart: The Made Maid" by Uncle Mike (fr582@cleveland.Freenet.Edu).
At first I was disappointed with this story. I was expecting a parody
of the Bob Newhart Show in which Bob plays a psychologist in Chicago.
Instead I found a parody of the more recent Bob Newhart Show, in which
Bob plays a writer who is also the owner of an Inn in New England. I
wasn't as familiar with the latter series, and so I expected that I
wouldn't enjoy the parody as much. I was very pleasantly surprised!
The plot is perfect; it actually fits in with the personalities and
mannerisms of the characters. Stephanie (the ditzy, lazy, rich girl who
is a maid but never does any work) develops a rivalry with Joanna, and
to prove her case she seduces Dick (the Bob Newhart character). In
retaliation, Joanna seduces Michael (Stephanie's preppie boyfriend). In
further retaliation, Joanna tricks Stephanie into having sex with Larry
and his two brothers (Daryl and Daryl). Finally, to make amends Joanna
makes love to Stephanie herself.
As I said, the parody is very well done. For example, it is easy to
imagine the Bob Newhart character reacting just the way the author shows
him as he is seduced by the young vixen. I strongly recommend this
story.
Ratings for "Newhart"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10