Exit to Eden [Paperback]

Anne Rampling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 1996

"The same kind of skillful writing that brought respectability to the erotic works of Henry Miller, Anaís Nin, and D. H. Lawrence."
--UPI
There is Lisa: They call her the Perfectionist. A stunning, mysterious, and fearless sexual adventurer, she is founder and supreme mistress of The Club--an expensive, exclusive island resort where forbidden fantasy meets willing flesh.
There is Elliott: A thrill-seeking photographer who has risked his life in war zones around the world. Now he is committed to the ultimate plunge into personal risk--exploring his darkest sexual self.
Join them on a journey to the limits of erotic pleasure and beyond. Surrender to the tantalizing wonders of the imagination behind the spellbinding sensuality of The Vampire Chronicles. Take leave of the world you know--and step into Eden. . . .
"To read Anne Rice is to become giddy as if spinning through the mind of time."
--San Francisco Chronicle
"Anne Rice seems to be at home everywhere. . . .She makes us believe everything she sees."
--The New York Times
"No one writing today matches her deftness with the erotic."
--Atlanta Journal & Constitution

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The same imagination that brought you the spellbinding sensuality of The Vampire Chronicles brings you the wickedly erotic and tantalizing tale of Lisa and Elliot's journey to the limits of pleasure and darkness at The Club, an exclusive island resort where forbidden fantasy meets willing flesh. A literary romp.

Review

No one writing today matches her deftness with the erotic. -- Atlanta Journal and Constitution

The same kind of skillful writing that brought respectability to the erotic works of Henry Miller and Anais Nin. -- UPI

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; X edition (February 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345401964
• ISBN-13: 978-0345401960
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,023,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Descriptive, Sultry, Disjointed, February 22, 2001

By 

njbookworm (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exit to Eden (Paperback)

I have read quite a bit of Anne Rice/Anne Rampling before. This book marks both a departure from her thougtful, sexy horror fiction (e.g. "Lestat," "Inverview with a Vampire," "Mummy") and her fantasy-themed, erotic Beauty series (e.g. "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty"). It kind of falls in between.

The book examines the relationship between an intelligent, conflicted, strong proprietor of a S&M-themed island (Female) and a passionate, creative photographer (Male). (As you may have already guessed, this is not a book for those with conservative sensibilities!)

The relationship/chemistry between the main characters is interesting, believable, and sexy. Rice makes you feel as if you know each of them -- and are in the same room with them. You feel their passion and understand their internal struggles.

My less-than-stellar rating speaks to the book as a whole -- the story arc, in particular.

"Exit to Eden" reads like two books:

Book 1: An interesting love story about a couple who's erotic pursuits help them tap into their feelings about each other, relationships (in general), and power.

Book 2: A story detailing the maintenance and baggage associated with being the proprietor of a S&M resort. (Think: "Fantasy Island" with velvet-covered handcuffs.)

Also, because Rice chose to set it in modern times, you have to have a *major* suspension of disbelief. You must believe that an island like this is legal, feasable, profitable, & enjoyable. I had a difficult time doing this.

Summary: If you enjoy Rice's books and are looking for a departure from her typical themes, read this.

However, if you're a person who would like to read your first Rice book, don't choose this one. I think you'll be disappointed.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice suprise, August 18, 2004

By 

A. Gilmore "shoppin' mamma" (texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exit to Eden (Paperback)

When I picked up this book and scanned the back I caught that it was a sex club and a romance type book. I am not into S&M at all and at first I was nervous to enter into that world. But I really loved this book and have read it multiple times. Some one said it is a romance novel for people who dont like romance novels and I totally agree with that. Nothing felt cheesey, it felt heart felt and honest in its characters. Its not too hard core. If your looking for that, look elsewhere. Its just an exciting story that basically says love can find you anywhere. I am a very satisfied reader. Thank Anne.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A romantic s&m book, April 13, 2001

By 

niki (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exit to Eden (Paperback)

I just need to say that this book started out quite s&m like. Full of exciting sexual happenings.... but ended up as being just a really good 'happily ever after' story. Theres nothing wrong in that, because mind you i loved the romantic side to the story, it was beautiful. But it would seem that after the first few chapters, the whole s&m or Master/slave aspects were just totally lost and gone. And if you've read the 'Beauty Series' by Anne Rice that is probably why you picked up this book. Well if you are hoping for something as satisfying as the Beauty series then you've chosen the wrong book. If you are into reading love stories and love to see happy endings where people run away and fall in love, then your in luck!