I recently had the pleasure of reading Sex Scene: An Anthology edited by Robert James Russell. He describes the anthology as aiming to decontextualize sex, asking the reader to look at the act itself as not only a form of art, but also as the very basest of human urges.
If you ask me what the best part of the book is, I would have to admit that I do look forward to the sex scenes. Who doesn't? So, the initial draw to this book was the title. When I turned to the first story, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. Would the book just have a variety of stories featuring different positions, or would it in fact delve deeper than that?
The anthology is roughly 75 pages and features stories by Robert James Russell himself, as well as Sabina England, Penny Goring, Dan Holloway, Sara Lippmann, Kirsty Logan, Sarah E. Melville, Gary Percesepe, Leah Petersen, Jeff Pfaller, Remittance Girl, Scott C. Rogers, and Cherise Wolas.
Each of these extremely talented writers engage the reader in a different way. Some of the stories within the anthology are simply poetic, and the words seem to just pour out from the page, while others are raw and downright demented (and I say this only as a compliment). The writers did a wonderful job engaging the reader and making them want more (of the book that is) and showing us a different side of the act. Each of them broke free of the mold of traditional scenes and shared with us a unique and interesting perspective of the act itself.
The Anthology is home to 13 deliciously seductive stories:
- "Tight" by Dan Holloway
- "Recursion" by Remittance Girl
- "Mr. Necessary" by Leah Petersen
- "Charlie Says" by Scott C. Rogers
- "Islamic Orgasm" by Sabina England
- "Anna & Jake" by Gary Percesepe
- "The Lake (the Lake and Stars)" by Sarah E. Melville
- "Flooring the Pouch of Douglas" by Penny Goring
- '"Eaten Alive" by Robert James Russell
- "Chasing" Joanna by Cherise Wolas
- "The Photograph" by Jeff Pfaller
- Girls Can Tell" by Kristy Logan
- "In Christian County' by Sara Lippmann
Which story was my favorite? The entire anthology is my favorite. I won't give you a critique of each and every story featured in the book, as they speak marvelously on their own.
So, would I recommend this book? YES. It gets two thumbs up, and if I had more thumbs I would raise them too. If you enjoy reading work by talented writers (and you love sex scenes), I implore you to pick up a copy, sit back and enjoy.
- Author: Russell, Robert James
- Sex Scene: An Anthology
- Published by: Lulu
- Published: October 7, 2010
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