Soft Core: Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me

Jun 11, 2008 23:00

When you get down to it, what is pornography but a wish-fullfilment fantasy? Usually, it's "boy fucks girl" without any of the foreplay. But there are other wish-fulfillment fantasies than just sex. For teen-age boys, there are super-heroes and sword-swinging barbarians. And for women, there are Romances ( Read more... )

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Comments 12

minahbird June 12 2008, 06:13:23 UTC
So glad you enjoyed it! I really like this post about it, though I am still interested in more detailed thoughts about specifics. Ie, what'd you think of that first date? And of the final consummation scene? And the "not-an-epilogue" last chapter? How'd you like Liza? How 'bout Bonnie and...whathisface. I forget his name. Whoops. Did you see anything likeable in Cynthie?

I agree that the plot complications / evil exes reliance does the book no favours. I wish it could be a little less formulaic, but...there's a reason the formula works. And Crusie does it with more flair and substance that most, which is why Bet Me has such appeal despite the stupidity of the plot skeleton.

Man, I wish they'd make Bet Me into a movie! I wonder if it'd be successful -- it feels like it ought to be, but despite the many full-figured women in Hollywood I think that it does not have the right climate for a movie where the "fat" woman was as comfortable with herself as Min is (and I never got the sense that Min really hated her body; she was dieting ( ... )

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minahbird June 12 2008, 06:13:40 UTC
ROGER. BONNIE AND ROGER. Wow, I remembered a split second after submitting the comment, baaaah.

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minahbird June 12 2008, 06:51:43 UTC
PS pornography of the mind = sexiest phrase ever.

ALSO, what'd you think of Shana (Cal's neighbour/the bartender)? And Emilio's? And Emilio himself? And and and...you don't have to answer all of these questions, really. Or at least not here ;)

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I'm Glad I Enjoyed It, Too ... gadd_sex June 12 2008, 18:32:07 UTC
... I won't pretend I was worried I've had to tell you I only managed a dozen or so pages before giving it up as a bad bet - and wondering what the hell was wrong with you. :)

...I am still interested in more detailed thoughts about specifics. Ie, what'd you think of that first date? And of the final consummation scene?

The first date?

"What?" Cal tried to find his place in the conversation. "Oh, the sports and sex thing? Not at all. This is the twenty-first century. We've learned how to be sensitive."

"You have?"

"Sure," Cal said. "Otherwise we wouldn't get laid."

What's not to like? Witty dialogue is so damned rare in my experience ( ... )

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rev_jo June 12 2008, 12:56:52 UTC
well, considering all of the sites that have R/NC-17 Pride and Prejudice fanfiction out there, Austen may be on that pedestal for a while yet, even if by sheer weight of her fan base..

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Pride For Prejudice gadd_sex June 12 2008, 18:34:21 UTC
Not just her fan base. Austen is one of those classic writers who somehow remains fun to read for a modern reader. Austen deserves her pedestal.

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minahbird June 13 2008, 02:38:35 UTC
You've exactly hit it.

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orchard_mnt June 12 2008, 13:11:38 UTC
does it get beyond 1st sex? I hate how so many romance novels get you to that 1st sex...the honeymoon phase, and stop!

I prefer epic romances, that last over time, and recover from dry spells...but you don't get them in less than 200 pages of 3rd grade level writing...

I'm glad you enjoyed this...it's on the shelf at our town's eency weency library and I thought about reading it, but I chose (poorly) a WEB griffith WW2 spy "thriller" that is boring me to tears and does everything my own novel does that's dragging it down, gossip, failure to show action, dragging...too many characters...BLAH...I'm in a stinky mood! I need something witty and fun in my head!

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Not Even (Quite) *To* First Sex gadd_sex June 12 2008, 18:37:13 UTC
I mis-labelled the book in my post. It's a Romantic Comedy, not a Romance novel. The climactic scene was literally interrupted in an almost slapstick manner by a whole crew of assholes, busybodies and one Damsel In Shining Armour to save the day.

I'm in a stinky mood! I need something witty and fun in my head!

If it's not already obvious, I say "Go for it!" You'll probably finish it within the day - or two at most.

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minahbird June 13 2008, 00:45:29 UTC
D. seems to have missed something. They definitely got to first sex, but -- well, it was after a looooooooong build up of sexual tension so that it's not just the honeymoon phase that you see near the end. I really think it's worth a read despite the fact that we only get to read them "go all the way" once! It will help you feel better, and might help you with your failure to show action and too many characters problems because Crusie is very good at showing how simply all of that can be resolved....

It's definitely fun! And fairly witty, compared to, I dunno, your average monthly Harlequin Blaze or whatever....

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livingtheblues January 29 2009, 22:16:41 UTC
Your profile is horribly interesting.
I added you - will you add me back?

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