Reflection's Edge

Book Review: Best American Erotica 2007, edited by Susie Bright

Reviewer: Mathilde Madden

While the short story often seems to be struggling in other genres, erotica still holds this form at its sticky heart. The breathless rush of the short story lends itself to erotica probably more so than the novel format, where characters and scenarios often seem stretched and repetitive.

But erotica short story collections can be hit or miss affairs. Familiar names jostle on the contents page with unknowns. Themes of these collections (bondage, cowboys, water) can be thrilling, vague or downright esoteric. How to choose?

The words “edited by Susie Bright” might be a good place to start.

Now in its fourteenth year, Bright's Best American Erotica series brings together a collection of erotica stories that transcend the image of this maligned genre. Many current erotica writers name BAE as the collection that transformed their writing and their entire perceptions of the genre. BAE is the collection that American erotica authors aspire to and erotica readers delight in.

And 2007's selection is full of treats, including highlights as diverse as an excerpt from Dennis Cooper’s wonderfully filthy internet rent boy mash up, “The Sluts,” to Sera Gamble's beautifully studious “Blue Star.” The excerpt from Alicia Erian's “Towelhead” also stands out as a piece of writing that says new things about both sexuality and ourselves.

The book’s main failing – and it really is a small one – is the similarity of the stories, and the fact that some stories surprisingly don't deliver much sex. There is a certain style currently popular in what is considered good literary erotica that can sometimes fall a little flat - beautiful writing and carefully defined characters, but no real erotic punch. It’s almost as if the delicate writing might come apart if forced to describe something so visceral.

But with over twenty stories here, all drawn from one country, one year, one subject matter, perhaps a little repetition of style is forgivable. BAE 2007 is still a startling collection, and Best American Erotica is still a series that every fan of well-written dirty stories can come back to time and again.

With a Best of Best America Erotica in the works, things continue to look bright for fans of well-written erotica - and, indeed, of well written short stories.

To buy a copy of this book, click here.

If you liked this book, check out:

The Best American Erotica 2006, edited by Susie Bright

Best Women's Erotica 2007, edited by Violet Blue

Mathilde Madden is an author, a journalist, and a lover of genre fiction. Her latest novel is Equal Opportunities, from Black Lace/Virgin Books. To read more of her work on-line, visit www.mathildemadden.co.uk, or read her past contributions to Reflection's Edge here.



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