The Butcher, The Baker,The Candlestick Maker
An Erotic Memoir by Suzanne Portnoy
Suzanne Portnoy and I were first introduced through the Sugasm. When she sent me her book’s press release I emailed back asking questions. She graciously offered me a copy to review. In The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker she chronicles her sexual adventures. A recently divorced woman with a reawakened sexuality, Suzanne is determined to try many lovers of different ages and backgrounds.
From the book’s press release:
“Suzanne says: ‘My mother always said: ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get,’ and it was with this thought in mind I embarked on a series of casual one-on-one encounters, the sole purpose being to have a good time. No commitment, no ‘I’ll phone you later,’ no expectation of any further contact - unless I wanted there to be’. So began her crusade to find the perfect weekend partner.”
I really thought I would like this book. An independent woman, with a refreshing liberal attitude about sex, chronicles her sexual affairs in London. I’ve always been the monogamous type and was curious to read how the sexually promiscuous live. I also wondered if Brits sex lives and attitudes were similar or vastly different than Americans.
Reading the book I had a reoccurring feeling something was missing. This nagging thought stayed with me chapter after chapter. I discussed the book with an editor friend and she revealed the reason: there is no reflection. It instantly clicked. While there are a few self realizations, Suzanne doesn’t reflect upon her experiences, doesn’t ponder their meaning or emotional impact on her life. Surely the passage of time has given her plenty of insight and meaning but she doesn’t share them with her readers. I wish she had.
Since she has so much sex she has her share of disappointments. In the first chapter she recounts the story of a quickie fuck that was a lust killer. Her lover is one she’s rejected in the past because of his creepy behavior but finding no other potential mates she decides to indulge him. During the sex she becomes bored and entertains herself by thinking of a vegetable curry recipe. She writes
“I wonder if he knows he hit the jackpot with me, someone patient and willing to indulge him. Most girls would have gone home half an hour ago to prepare that curry. I’m not hating it or loving it. I’m just bored.”
It’s wonderful that she’s so caring about her lover and strives to please him even though she’s bored. But a lot of her experiences in the book are similar; she works to fulfill her date and ends up being sexually disappointed. I found myself wondering if some of these affairs were harmful to her emotions or self-esteem. But Suzanne stays positive and that is admirable. After a bad date she never gives up, determined to move on to the next lover for fulfillment.
This book is full of sex, make no mistake about that. If you want a recounting of affair after affair this book won’t disappoint. I didn’t count how many men she slept with but rest assured there are many. I’ve read that some consider this book controversial. Sadly, there are still people out there who consider a woman who enjoys sex and looks for pleasing lovers to be a controversy. I don’t and nothing in this book shocked me.
I applaud Suzanne for being so sexually liberated. It’s refreshing to hear a woman be so guilt free about her sex life. I hope she continues having fun. But if she writes a follow up to The Baker I hope that she reflects more about her affairs. While it’s enjoyable to read about the different ways people fuck I want to learn more about the author in the process.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 6:50 PM CST