Nikki’s review of Exit to Eden by Anne Rice, writing as Anne Rampling
[ed.: Erotic romance published Sep 25, 2007 by Avon Red. Originally published as hardcover in 1985 and again as mass market paperback in 1996. Looks like the 30th anniversary is here so they’re releasing it again.]
This is the love story of the proprietor of a S&M-themed island (Female) and a photographer (Male). It’s got just a dash of kink, but predominantly it’s a tale of two lovers. Ok, more than a dash. If kink bothers you, don’t read this book. But this is a romance above all.
Be aware, if the very idea forced sex bothers you, this book may not be for you. This is an adult fantasy island for people who want to live the fantasy of being forced. They agree to go there for six months or a year or more and (apparently) once they are there there is no going back. They are love slaves with no way out until their time is up. No safe words. No way off the island.
In reality, the owners are trying to give them the scenario they want. When someone seems to really want out, they get them out quietly, so the other slaves can keep their fantasy of being helplessly enslaved. If they know they can get out of it, they don’t have their fantasy fulfilled. To get the full deal, they need to believe they are stuck. Is it really rape if you signed on to be involved in a rape scenario? Just go into the book prepared.
What I loved about this book is that sex wasn’t just added where it wasn’t needed. Too many erotic titles destroy the flow of the story by adding needless sex scenes. When Lisa is working out her feelings we get to focus on what she is going through. The same when Elliot is figuring out what he wants.
The characters are deeper than just their kink, too. Elliot is a photographer, through and through. It is part of who he is and it comes up when it should. We get to see how Lisa’s lifestyle affects her relationship with her family.
On the negative side, some of the bondage stuff crossed over my line. Some of it was definitely not appealing to me. But I know it is to a lot of people who choose that lifestyle, so I can’t fault the book for it. It does affect my enjoyment somewhat during the first half of the book.
Grade: B+
Hmm, I am intrigued. I read Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty trilogy and although some of it was over the top, overall it was a good read. So I may just check this out. Specially if there is romance involved and not strictly erotica.
A co-worker gave me this way back in 1990 to read. Needless to say it knocked my socks off. It didn’t make me run out and glom Anne Rice/Rampling but it did remind me that my generation didn’t invent sex. By the mid-90s I’d read the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. THAT knocked my socks off. I should probably re-read them now and see if they still seem as shocking.
Oh I read this about 15 years ago, before I started writing romance. I thnk I was a bit shocked too but it was a good read, interesting premise too. For the most part, I think Anne Rice can be an excellent writer (other times she’s way off in another universe). I’d recommend Exit to Eden along with The Vampire Lestat (he’s such a sexy, yummy vampire).
The Sleeping Beauty stories are not romances. This book is about the kind of people who would enjoy the Sleeping Beauty books, if that makes sense.
Did anyone see the movie version with Dan Ackroyd, and Rosie O’Donnell. Did a real number on the book (or so I hear ) and is intentionally and unintentionally hilarious.
The movie was horrid. Bad Bad Bad and had nothing to do with the book. The book if I remember correctly was rather good. But I read it soooooo long ago. Sadly I first thought 10 years ago but really it is closer to 15. Le sigh when did I get so old?
I never finished the sleepying beauty series… ended up selling to the half price some years ago. It joined many others as well.
I have to admit it cracks me up that this is being reissued now while she is channeling christ and all that…