Flesh and the Word 3: An Anthology of Erotic Writing (Bk. 3) [Paperback]

Various (Author), Psy.D., ABPP, John D. Preston (Editor), Michael Lowenthal (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Flesh and the Word | Publication Date: June 1, 1995

On the heels of the hugely successful Flesh and the Word 1 and 2 comes another erotic anthology compiled by one of the gay community's most eminent and outspoken writers. Anne Rice (writing as Anne Rampling), Aaron Scott, Travis O'Hara, Lars Eighner, Andrew Holleran, and Preston himself are among those who contribute to this collection of 31 exceptional pieces.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Until recently erotica came discreetly wrapped in brown paper. Preston, the late editor of this series, had always championed the interchangibility of pornography and erotica, and held that packaging was the only difference between the two. In this third collection, every aspect of gay male sexuality, is imagined, exercised and realized. The selections include pieces that subvert formulaic writing of the genre to more traditional erotica with sections titled "Initiation", "Catholic Lust", and "Post-AIDS". On the whole the caliber of the writing is high and the anthology, well-structured. There is an adroit reworking of Shelley's Frankenstein ("Monster Cock") by Ron Oliver and Michael Rowe; and the haunting "Revelation" by Tom Caffrey. Martin Palmer's "Love Pitched His Mansion" and Patrick Carr's "Gerion" bookend a strong obsession section, while Andrew Holleran's "Sex Vacation" is resonant and stark. The post-AIDS section is the most ground-breaking, acknowledging, even incorporating sexuality with the nexus of illness. The imagery here is often visceral, the language sophisticated and the humor on an even keel with eros. The collection successfully includes varieties of class and sexuality, but it would be more excitting if it were as culturally diverse. Still, as a series it continues to provide a forum for writers of erotica, giving them the wider audience many deserve.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Plume (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452272521
• ISBN-13: 978-0452272521
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good hot reading, qualitative prose, and imaginative topics, August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Flesh and the Word 3: An Anthology of Erotic Writing (Bk. 3) (Paperback)

flesh and the word 3 is an excellent book about all the different nuances and possibilities of gay sex and erotics. it combines stories of the realistic tradition with stories of a more experimentalist or postmodern type. the whole range of american contemporary fiction is in a way combined with passion, erotics and obsessions. anybody interested in reading and interested in sex between men, should absolutely possess this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flesh and the Word 3, solid buy., May 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Flesh and the Word 3: An Anthology of Erotic Writing (Bk. 3) (Paperback)

As a good book that reaches a broad range of tastes in gay sex this is a good buy for the collector of anthologies. Some of the stories are wildly erotic and some are less that desiring, but overall the book contains quality stories. I strongly suggest it to an adventurer or the collector.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, and very creative, May 19, 2011

By 

Nicholas F. (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flesh and the Word 3: An Anthology of Erotic Writing (Bk. 3) (Paperback)

The biggest criticism I can think of for this book is that it has a flavor of the 1990s. That said, it's one of the best collections of erotica I've ever read. This may arise from my love of kink--there are lots of kinky and BDSM-themed stories here--but there are some excellent and intelligent works, especially an erotic "Frankenstein" where the monster is gay and rather insatiable. I highly recommend this book for reading and re-reading.