Customer Reviews

Madam: Inside a Nevada Brothel

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A fantastic book! A book of insights and deep dark secrets, offering the reader the most sumptuous feast of a novel to ever emerge from this "other" side of life. A true roller-coaster of emotions evoking laughter and compassionate tears at the same time. I devoured each page, staying up 'til the wee hours of morning with this one-of-a-kind find. Where has this author been all my life?? Read this book and be prepared to discover stories which have never previously existed in the world of literature! They're delicious, funny, sensual, painful and some are outright unbelievable! Overall, it's an outstanding contribution to our real understanding of the deeper processes that shape all our lives, because it reveals the human side of prostitution. Like others, I thought of prostitutes as dirty, misguided and low-life's. Those who patronized them were just as despicable in my mind. But of course, I knew nothing of the real facts until I read Madam. I had never thought about the disabled, disfigured, paraplegics or the mentally retarded who may never experience the human touch, a hug or being held in a woman's arms,except when they visit bothels and the women/prostitutes who are with them emotionally as well as physically. Most women I know, myself included, would not have the level of compassion it would take to hold a severely retarded man in her arms, while he drooled and jerked all over her! The book paints both sides of the story, the good, the bad and the ugly. It's all so very fascinating and a real learning experience. I felt like I was watching the entire brothel operation through the Madam's eyes and heart. Thank you, thank you for an unforgettable experience and life-lesson!

Shaner takes you inside to the very center of the brothel from the women who work there, to the customers to the mundane but necessary operations that keep the whole thing afloat. She even dares to tackle the subject of systematic racism in this industry, which is something I have NEVER seen done in any other book on this issue. The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because in the beginning, Shaner uses a lot of obvious puns and one-liners that are irritating and distracting to read. Once you get past that,however, this is a very informative book.