In Part 1 of Reading for Sexual Deviants, we covered some more advanced topics in sexual deviancy– why not dive right in?! From polyamory to extreme cases of BDSM (mental AND physical), no topic was safe. This time around we have sexually deviant books– and their sexually deviant film adaptations for a little extra credit.
Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita
is probably the most controversial story on this list–both in terms of its content, but also in personal reactions. While I feel that it transcends being a story on sexual deviancy, at the heart of it is a story of pedophilia, betrayal, and love. Having written about this film for my thesis, I was always amazed at how the Stanley Kubrick
and Adrian Lyne
versions of the film vary. One seemed the story of a perverted old pedophile, while the other seemed the story of a heartbroken man in love with a much younger woman. How you read the story, what your feelings on Humbert is, becomes an entirely personal reaction (almost as interesting and intriguing as the book!). It’s a complicated and complex story, and regardless of your feelings on Humbert, Nabakov’s writing is a delicious treat.
Mary Gaitskills’ Bad Behavior: Stories
is a collection of short stories; among them is “Secretary,” which was the inspiration for Steven Shainberg’s hit, Secretary
. The entire series of shorts from Bad Behavior focus on sexual perversions and overall “bad behavior.” However, don’t expect this series of tales to be erotic or enjoyable. Rather than promoting a healthy and more positive portrayal of alternative lifestyles, I found the stories to be unsympathetic, abrasive, and sometimes judgmental. They’re worth reading for comparison purposes, or if you enjoy that devil’s advocate feeling…
The film, however, I found was a lovely ode to two people finding a healthy means of personal and sexual expression. There’s tenderness and vulnerability to Spader and Gyllenhaal’s characters and relationship that mimics all relationships, whether subversive or not.
The Piano Teacher: A Novel
by Elfriede Jelinek (and the film directed by Michel Haneke) is one of the most visceral, complicated, and overwhelming lit pieces I’ve read on BDSM. It’s film companion
is shocking and hard to take in at times…. I remember watching it for my thesis and having my Beau, roommates, whoever going, “What the fuck are you watching?” From self mutilation to physical and emotional abuse, this story harkens back to Story of O (Histoire d’O) by Pauline Reage
I mentioned in post 1. It’s not an easy read or watch, it’s emotionally confusing, and pushes you well outside your comfort zones.
Fan of the books, fan of the films? Find them overrated? What were your own experiences to reading (or watching) them if you have?
Read Part 1 here.
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I never managed to finish Lolita, not so much because of the subject matter, but I guess because I wasn’t all that fond of the writing style. I really need to pick it up again and give it another go, especially since I know the local library has a copy.
I am very fond of Secretary however, although several of my housemates have been known to pull the DVD off the shelf and start asking questions about how, and why and just generally what the hell? Ah well, probably best they never see my copies of de Sade or the Story of O.
I hate to say I had no idea Secretary was based on a book. Such a strangely lovely movie. Fetishists need more advocates! I’m putting Bad Behavior on my library list. Thanks for all the suggestions. We deviants can’t survive on Savage Love alone!
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oooh i haven’t seen the piano teacher all the way through yet, now i’m going to be up all night wondering what happened that day when i started watching it and didn’t finish…
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I’ve never seen any of these! I’m so vanilla. ;D I’ve been told I should watch Secretary. I’m not sure how I feel about attempting to read/watch Lolita…I’ve been meaning to, but thought it would probably creep me out.
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I feel like I read Lolita while still too young to appreciate the complexity of it (I was around 14-15) and that it probably deserves another read. Never seen either of the films and doubt I will…it just doesn’t seem like a book that a film could properly do justice to.
I may just try to find a copy of Bad Behavior, however. Secretary is a film that I rented during high school and watched secretly in my bedroom so that my mom wouldn’t find out, but it’s also a film that had a huge impact on me, since at that point in my life I kind of saw myself like Lee in a lot of ways. I spent a good deal of time after that sort of searching out a relationship like the one in the film. Never found it, but grew and learned a lot about what I really wanted (and what others were willing to give) in the meantime…
The Piano Teacher has also sparked my interest. I love this series of posts! Thank you so much : )
I loved Lolita; I thought the writing was just brilliant, and Nabokov did such a beautiful job of conveying the agony of the main character and the helplessness he feels. I have to admit that I liked the campy 1960′s movie with James Mason and Shelley Winters; Peter Sellers popping up in various disguises really made the movie for me. Obviously it was a much watered-down version of the story, but it was a product of its time.
Secretary is one of my favorite movies; it really captures the tenderness of two people finding one another who thought their desires were somehow wrong. I just love the chemistry between Maggie G. and James Spader. I’m interested in finding that book now; I had no idea Secretary came from a short story. Great post!
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Such a cool post! I haven’t read any of the books but i DO LOVE ME THE MOVIES!!!! ~HORN~
I want to read the Secretary one especially. Didn’t know it was based on a story!
xoxo
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