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A review by zefrog
For Real by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"I want to hurt you because I love." (p197)
Although the link to Oxford is this time much more tenuous, with only one short visit by the protagonists who otherwise live in London, For Real follows the pattern established in the preview two books of the Spires series: unlikely coupling of two wounded souls, who find solace, understanding and healing in each other.
This time the narrative includes an (almost) spring/winter pairing (the age different is 20 years: 19 to 38) and an exploration of BDSM relationships, which means that there is quite a lot of kinky sex throughout. It seems however to be more BD than SM.
I can't say I know much about that scene but I wasn't completely persuaded. For all the talk of hurt and humiliation, the characters seem to me to be proper snowflakes (in our modern parlance). Being naked and exposed in front of your lover during sex (which seems to be the basics of the activity) is apparently humiliating. Answering "yes, please" to a question is somehow considered "begging". There is only one scene flagellation scene, that I think could truly be considered SM and that still felt pretty tame.
Beyond this slight... erm bum note in the pitching of the book's happenings, Hall makes a fairly convincing attempt at understanding the psychological workings of this type of relationship. Once again, someone more familiar with that scene would have a pass judgement on Hall's success at doing this, and the explanations given didn't always make complete sense but the book certainly provided food for thought in that respect.
What stood out for me, however, was the playfulness Hall has running throughout the book. It is funny, at times laugh-out-loud funny, and even the sex scenes are not always without their comedic element, which, in my view, is how sex should be.
This is generally what keeps bringing me back to Hall and his work in addition to his story telling skills and his writing. His certainly can weave a good yarn, but the gentle, poetic wit infusing his style is just the glistening cherry on a moist and creamy cake.
Although the link to Oxford is this time much more tenuous, with only one short visit by the protagonists who otherwise live in London, For Real follows the pattern established in the preview two books of the Spires series: unlikely coupling of two wounded souls, who find solace, understanding and healing in each other.
This time the narrative includes an (almost) spring/winter pairing (the age different is 20 years: 19 to 38) and an exploration of BDSM relationships, which means that there is quite a lot of kinky sex throughout. It seems however to be more BD than SM.
I can't say I know much about that scene but I wasn't completely persuaded. For all the talk of hurt and humiliation, the characters seem to me to be proper snowflakes (in our modern parlance). Being naked and exposed in front of your lover during sex (which seems to be the basics of the activity) is apparently humiliating. Answering "yes, please" to a question is somehow considered "begging". There is only one scene flagellation scene, that I think could truly be considered SM and that still felt pretty tame.
Beyond this slight... erm bum note in the pitching of the book's happenings, Hall makes a fairly convincing attempt at understanding the psychological workings of this type of relationship. Once again, someone more familiar with that scene would have a pass judgement on Hall's success at doing this, and the explanations given didn't always make complete sense but the book certainly provided food for thought in that respect.
What stood out for me, however, was the playfulness Hall has running throughout the book. It is funny, at times laugh-out-loud funny, and even the sex scenes are not always without their comedic element, which, in my view, is how sex should be.
This is generally what keeps bringing me back to Hall and his work in addition to his story telling skills and his writing. His certainly can weave a good yarn, but the gentle, poetic wit infusing his style is just the glistening cherry on a moist and creamy cake.