Reawaken your Sexuality, Stimulate Your Libido with Sleeping Beauty and Anne Rice
Written: Jun 14 '02 (Updated Jun 14 '02)
Product Rating:
Pros: well written erotica, stimulating and arousing
Cons: alternative sexuality themes (dominance, pain, homosexuality, etc.) possibly not for every reader's taste
The Bottom Line: While the plot won't leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, Anne Rice does a good job in creating a sexually themed adult fairy tale.
jiastar's Full Review: A.N. Roquelaure - The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
Written by Anne Rice, under the pseudonym A. N. Roquelaure, "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" is part one in an erotic trilogy which explores sexuality in an explicit, and for many, unfamiliar manner. These books are meant as an "adult fairy tale" and inspired by the classic story of Sleeping Beauty. And through this title's pages, as well as it's successors, we enter a world where acts of dominance and submission are everyday occurences, a world in which a Princess, asleep for 100 years, is awoken not by the light kiss of a stranger but by the act of first intercourse.
In "Claiming", we meet Beauty awake now and indebted to the Price who saved her. Payment for her restoration is that she serve a period of time in her Prince's kingdom. This sexual servitude promises to return her "enhanced in wisdom and beauty" and begins with her being forced to travel utterly nude. There are other tests as she travels to meet the Queen who will oversee her service ... being oggled and even fondled by strangers, eating her food off the floor, being spanked.
Arrival to this new Kingdom find her struggling to accept that her task, for this time of slavery, is to simply do what she is told. She must act to satisfy the desires of the COurt, of the Queen, of the Princes and Princesses. And she must do this without the slightest indication of resistance.
And so we find her thrust into a world of explicit sex. A place where no act of pleasure is judged as kinky or depraved ... where everything from toys and other accessories to homosexual encounters are explored and often enjoyed. And in this place where slaves are bound to accept whatever their Master of the moment desires we see a greeat deal of S&M, bondage and domination. However she learns that while some acts may cause her pain that she will never be actually injured in any lasting way.
She also meets and finds herself drawn to Price Alexi, a man also in servitude and they manage to find time alone and to be intimate with one another. An while they are not caught in their infraction a change is noted in Beauty's attitude. She is not as pliant, happiness and the flush of infatuation have bouyed her confidence. And she is told she must spend time in "The Hall of Punishments" where more firm obedience will be required. With this news something snaps in her, even knowing there is no escape and that she will not actually be hurt, she runs.
With this, her fate is sealed and she is to be sent to the Village. Where her servitude will be passed over to, not royalty, but to business-folk and commoners. She will be placed on the auction block and sold to the highest bidder.
It is on the cart ride to her new "home" that we leave her. She has just met Prince Tristian who she has heard much about from her lovely Alexis. Both bound and gagged they find comfort in the merging of their bodies.
_________________________
Why I bought the trilogy
I got it through a book club and while I knew it was erotica I was surprised by the themes presented. I expected what some might term as "vanilla sex", standard passionate lovemaking. I got a story which teases and tantalizes the reader with the forbidden aspects of sex. The things that "nice people" aren't supposed to do.
What I thought of this installment
While certain scenes may be disturbing, Ms. Rice does manage to put together an easy to follow, though not overly rich, storyline which packs quite the sexual punch. I found myself captivated not only by the detailed sex scenes but by the strangeness of the society Beauty has landed herself in. But there is no real story here. It is a book of sexual exploration and as such it makes a stimulating read.
However....
Beauty herself as a character is not developed very well. While we know that she is beautiful and proud we don't know much about her history (other than falling asleep after pricking herself on a spindle). We don't know if she ever heard of this other kingdom. She seems perfectly willing to just go along for the ride.
Perhaps it is her gratitude for having been awoken. Perhaps she is infatuated with this stranger who has not only awoken her from a deep sleep, but awoken her sexuality.
In any case I at no time found myself feeling sympathy for her situation, for her fright or her tears.
Advisories
As a book considered erotica sex is conveyed in explicit terms.
Sexual practices range from standard intercourse to whipping and spanking to acts being consumated with inanimate objects.
Beauty is seem with a number of different partners, male and female both.
Considering the themes in this book, there are many people who may find this book offensive or upsetting. Those who may have sexual abuse in their past may find that the themes of dominance and pain-pleasure may trigger strong emotions in them.
However, there are also many who may find this tale arousing, as it is intended to be. It may also inspire more creativity in your own bedroom though not to the extremes found here, in all liklihood.
Did I enjoy it?
While I might not the type to take part in the practices portrayed here I cannot deny that the scenes could be very arousing.
Who else might enjoy it
Women (single partnered or married) who may wish to make use of erotica to enhance solitary pleasuring.
Women who find that reading erotica helps their arousal process leading to more pleasureable encounters with their sexual partner.
Couples looking to explore new ideas for their lovemaking.
Final Recommendation
This is an easy read and the scenes are vivid and descriptive. While there are moments where pain and pleasure merge I would not describe the book as dark and violent. Pain, via spanking and whatnot, is portrayed as a means to reach a higher state of pleasure and release. It is not done to actually hurt another person. A fine line of destinction perhaps, but Anne Rice does draw it here.
If you find that reading a bit of erotica before retiring can help in making the transition from "mommy mode" to that of lover, you may find that Beauty's adventures in this title, and the rest of the trilogy, will serve you well.
From bestselling author Anne Rice, writing as A.N. Roquleaure. In the traditional folktale of 'Sleeping Beauty, ' the spell cast upon the lovely young...More at HotBookSale
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.