Customer Reviews

Mounting Desire (Little Black Dress)

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

 

 

Mounting Desire is a hysterical parody on the romance genre. I dislike romance novels - at least the "bodice ripping", "She hated him - yet she was drawn to him at the same time" type, which is why I absolutely LOVE this book! It's intelligent humor that pokes fun at not only romance novels but also how we are trained to look at romance as an idealistic artificial moment - from the books we read - to the 30 second "diamonds are forever" commercials you see around Valentine's Day! Nina Killham's writing is smart, subtle, and laugh out-loud funny.

I got into it straight away. I had to keep sneaking off so I could read in peace. The two main characters are believable, and I couldn't wait to find out if they finally got together. I also liked the amusing dramas that came their way, and the supporting characters rounded it out perfectly. A perfect beach read and a lot of fun!

As a busy mom, I'm always looking for a fun book to whisk me away from the routine. MOUNTING DESIRE was the perfect mini-vacation--enjoyable from beginning to end. There was literally a belly laugh on every page, and yet, Nina Killham's genius is that each joke is brilliant social satire as well. Although on one level the story takes a witty view of dating and romance, I found myself truly rooting for the unlikely pair--a romance writer whose ideal woman disappeared with the corset and an earthy modern woman who is all-too-comfortable with her appetites--to get together. If you like "Sex and the City," you'll find this smart and humorous take on male-female relationships is just your cup of tea.

This paraody of romance novels, romance writers and romance itself is a really fun romp! Simultaneously profound and silly, Mounting Desire is particularly appreciated at a time when the U.S. seems to be embracing its puritan past with reckless abandon. Jack, the born- again- virgin- romance- novel author, doesn't date. Instead, he says: "I fantasize about ideal women. I dress them up in whatever I want, the more corsets the better. I put them through excruciating psychological trauma before having fifteen-second sex with them , and then I delete them." Expect to laugh a lot with this one. So, don't balance your mohito on your tummy while you're poolside.

I read Nina Killham's first book, HOW TO COOK A TART and loved it. This second book, MOUNTING DESIRE, is hysterical. Killham creates characters that seem so real and puts them into situations that seem so absurd. Even though she introduces many characters throughout the book (actually caricatures in many cases, such as the male cover model) the reader is able to follow along easliy. That is until you start laughing so hard you drop the book and lose your place. I can't wait to read her next book and see what she sends up next.

A satire on the romance genre, Mounting Desire is hilarious. It's an obvious reversal of gender stereotypes, but it works. If you're looking for a bitingly funny read that isn't afraid to poke fun at America's biggest selling genre--whether you're a fan or not--Mounting Desire is a book to pick up.

I read a lot romance novels. I have 3 categories, #1 category is "keeper and share with others" #2 category is "give to book exchange" and #3 category "throw away in the first trash can you can fine". WELL THIS BOOK WAS CATEGORY #3. I didn't think there was ANY chemstry with the characters and the whole story line was ridiculous!