Obsessed: A Flesh and the Word Collection of Gay Erotic Memoirs [Paperback]

Michael Lowenthal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999 | Series: Flesh and the Word

From the Flesh and the Word series comes a new, provocative celebration of obsession in all its forms. Some of the best gay writers at work today write tell-all memoirs of being seduced by the luscious, often dangerous, game of obsession. An uncensored collection, Obsessed is made up entirely of secret fantasies, elusive loves, and titillating, taboo encounters.

Scott Heim reminisces about a high school crush in "I Am Going to Eat You, " and Brian Bouldrey guiltily reports being drawn to his lover's ex in "Ex Marks the Spot." Stephen Greco visits a kinky grooming parlor in "Field of Vision, " while "In This Corner" finds Charles Flowers stripping down to his trunks with his boxing instructor. Established writers share this collection with new talents, exploring gay men's most private and honest erotic experiences.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"I revel in the physicality of my response to good writing," notes Michael Lowenthal. He knew that he'd done his job as an editor, he continues, when a reader wrote that he had passed out on a public bus while reading a story in one of Lowenthal's collections. The 20 erotic memoirs in Obsessed strive for that level of intensity (although they aim for arousal, not discomfort), and each of them is bound to hit the mark with someone. The objects of the authors' obsessions are wide-ranging: Brian Bouldrey, for example, has a thing for his lover's ex-boyfriends, while Jeremy Michaels recounts his two-year relationship with a "straight" teenager who gradually becomes intent on seducing him. Charles Flowers's erotic fixation on Oscar de la Hoya makes him take up boxing lessons; he contemplates "the heat of two men moving in need, thrusting and sparring, arms locked in embrace--how in that haze of muscle and sweat, everything else drops away, the two bodies the only reality." Some of the essays do veer into potentially controversial areas, as writers explore their fascination for certain ethnic "sorts," but they manage to avoid falling into easy stereotypes, examining their emotional and sexual conditions--as do all the contributors--with thoughtfulness and candor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Plume (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452279992
• ISBN-13: 978-0452279995
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,120,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obsessions - For Men, May 9, 1999

By 

"blissengine" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Obsessed: A Flesh and the Word Collection of Gay Erotic Memoirs (Paperback)

The best erotica I've read in a while. Whether your obsession is with a certain person, a specific type of people, or an action, you'll probably find something that comes close in this excellent collection. I found almost every essay to be a major turn on. My favorites were by Andrew Holleran, D. Travers Scott, Patrick Barnes, Scott Heim, Stephen Greco... Hell, I love them all!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stimulation more for the mind..., June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Obsessed: A Flesh and the Word Collection of Gay Erotic Memoirs (Paperback)

More stimulating to the mind, than anywhere else! Despite the 'Flesh and the Word' banner, these stories lack the classic structure of the one-handed novel, and instead ask the reader to consider the elements of sexual obsession. As obsession is such a personal thing, some of the stories hit the spot, while others pass un-noticed. Lowenthal, since succeeding John Preston, has been taking the Flesh and the Word series in directions that increasingly ask readers to think, as well as (or even instead of) to w***; this might prove uncomfortable to some readers, but nevertheless has produced a book well worth reading and thinking over.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent collection, June 12, 2000

By 

David Oliveras - See all my reviews

This review is from: Obsessed: A Flesh and the Word Collection of Gay Erotic Memoirs (Paperback)

Michael Lowenthal has done a great job of editing this exciting collection of short erotic stories. There is a little bit here for everybody. Some stories are nothing short of scalding hot others brutally honest. A whole choir of fresh gay voices singing into the night. I was thrilled, excited, aroused, angered, devastaed, shocked and uplifted. I can't say enough about the state of gay writing today. This book is a gerat example of the wonderful writings out there!