Customer Reviews

The Catalyst And Other Works

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The author of the popular "Marketplace" series of books has been writing short stories and essays for perhaps even longer. Or at least longer than most would have imagined. Which makes Laura Anoniou's "The Catalyst" an interesting, often enjoyable and at times frustrating read. The items vary from kinky but funny (the lesbian Jewish vampire tale, "Shayna Maidel"), some personal stories about self discovery, a reprint of an early work in the book's titular story, and her infamous persnickety hedonist rant ("Unsafe at Any Speed"). While I find many of the stories themselves hot and they are all well written, those expecting more of "The Marketplace" should best be warned. This collection flings itself all over the bed sheets. While at times tawdry (which is what I like the best about Ms. Antoniou's work), it also jumps from wild story to moody reflection. It kept the book from being an "I couldn't put it down" page burner to something I had to think about wanting to finish.

Best stories (in my humble opinion):

"The New Brand," "Shayna Maidel," "Succession of Honor," and the title collection that ends the book. Recommended to lovers of her novels, but just keep in mind, this is one bumpy ride.

PS: also as much fun as anything in the book is Fetish Diva Midori's giddy introduction.

Laura Antoniou inscribed my copy of her new book "To Philip the Foole, who never has enough *Hot Lesbian Sex* -- Here's some for you."

I was deeply touched. I've known this notorious smut peddler for more than a decade now. I've read every word in every one of her "Leatherwomen" series, and the dirty parts of all of her "Marketplace" books.

Do you think she *ever* invites me to a *Hot Lesbian Sex* party?

Nooooo, I get a lousy book inscription.

*grumble, mutter*

Fetish Diva Midori wrote the intro. She's another one who never invites me to her *Hot Lesbian Sex* parties, despite me being the world's foremost expert on the subject. Midori and Laura are probably sitting in some dark and moody lesbian leather bar right now, smoking Cuban cigars and laughing about it, with their hands below the table, twiddling that uh, you know, that thing that women twiddle when they read hot porn.

It's OK though. I'm not bitter. Laura is a twisted, drooling, cackling, sicko pervert. My kind of woman. Her first essay in the book is "Unsafe at any Speed. Or, Safe, Sane and Consensual My Fanny." Rant, rave, snort fart. Hey, it's just a public relations ploy, Laura. It calms the nervous newcomers while you snug up their wrist and ankle ropes.

OK, the first couple of essays are political diatribes. There's some branding and some fantasy stuff about a four-poster bed. Yeah, yeah. Like there's some *other* use for a four-poster bed. This tame stuff is to try to trick Canadian Customs agents into letting Laura's books across their border. It never works. They're highly trained professional stunt perverts. They know how to skim for the good stuff, just like you and me. Skip right ahead to page 38. That's where the *Hot Lesbian Sex* starts. There's some gay and het BDSM porn here too, if you're into that sort of thing. Yeah, I'm not gay either. OK, so maybe I am. Sometimes. If there's rope involved. I think Laura likes to watch the boys play. Actually, I think she likes to watch anybody play, as long as one of them is tied up. I can *so* relate to that.

Buy this book. You know you want it. I know *why* you want it. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

Your Humble Jester,

Philip the Foole

Some there are who say that the fairest thing seen on the black earth is an array of horsemen; some, men marching; some would say ships; but I say she whom one loves best is the loveliest.

- Ancient Kung Foole Proverb by Sappho of Lesbos ("for Anaktoria," circa 630 BC)

An author who publishes a collection of short stories faces the same dilemma as a musician who wants to release a full-length album. How do you manage to uphold the interest throughout all the stories (or songs)? Is it even possible to create a long work of art that's unable to eventually bore the reader (or listener)?

You bet it is. But Laura Antonious's The Catalyst, and Other Works is not a good example of this. From time to time she manages to come up with something original that really has something to say, but it doesn't happen often. And that's a great shame, because there's no doubt she's a very talented writer with great imagination.

Most pieces in the book are fiction, but some are non-fiction. Regardless of genre though, they all deal with the world of BDSM. She knows what she's talking about, that's for sure, and thus the combination of fiction and non-fiction is a great combo.

But everything is about sex. Man on man, woman on woman, man on woman, orgies, role-playing, domination, submission; every type of sex inhabits the world of Laura Antoniou. Still, in the long run, most stories aren't much better than the ones found in your average porno magazine. Her style of writing is better suited for novels than short stories, and thus the final piece (which is also the longest) is the most interesting one.

The proof-reading is not very good, and since almost all stories are far from Antoniou's normal level of quality the conclusion must be that The Catalyst, and Other Works is mostly for her most devoted fans only.

An inspiring view into Ms. Antoniou's thought process. Her stories, as always, are stimulating, but to catch a glimpse at where the ideas come from is the true gift of this book.