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oliviak07's review against another edition
3.0
*NOTE: I would like to say that this collection of short stories teetered between a 2.8 and a 3.1 rating. Oddly specific, I know.*
It seems that every collection of short stories I have found this year can be compared to a flat carbonated drink; it looks appealing (either by the cover of the book or the subject of the stories), but the taste is a solid 'eh' at best.
The erotica of Catulle Mendes's in "For Reading in the Bath" was hardly an exception.
Now some might think that it is due to the dated subject matter, which the modern reader is warned of from the book's translator, Brian Stableford. And sure, there were stories that made one chuckle at how scandalous they were compared to what you hear about in the news or on social media, or from your family and friends. However, several of the plots show how dated the times were since they showed men and women in borderline unhealthy schemes with one another due to the times and the patriarchy of the nation. This could be the greatest concern should anyone attempt the collection. It could also be the book's greatest asset for a post reading discussion.
Now, I will admit there were several pieces in the collection that I found to be a good read. "The Duel", "Empty Nests", "The Three Drawers", "The Good Eater", and "Poor Amour" offered a variety of feelings from the sultry, to the humorous, to feelings of pity. One appreciates that diversity, since access of only one of those emotions would have left the experience dull.
Although I did not enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed potential from it's cover, and maybe ACTUALLY reading the book in the bath would have helped, I think it was worth the try. Test it for yourself, and see what you think.
It seems that every collection of short stories I have found this year can be compared to a flat carbonated drink; it looks appealing (either by the cover of the book or the subject of the stories), but the taste is a solid 'eh' at best.
The erotica of Catulle Mendes's in "For Reading in the Bath" was hardly an exception.
Now some might think that it is due to the dated subject matter, which the modern reader is warned of from the book's translator, Brian Stableford. And sure, there were stories that made one chuckle at how scandalous they were compared to what you hear about in the news or on social media, or from your family and friends. However, several of the plots show how dated the times were since they showed men and women in borderline unhealthy schemes with one another due to the times and the patriarchy of the nation. This could be the greatest concern should anyone attempt the collection. It could also be the book's greatest asset for a post reading discussion.
Now, I will admit there were several pieces in the collection that I found to be a good read. "The Duel", "Empty Nests", "The Three Drawers", "The Good Eater", and "Poor Amour" offered a variety of feelings from the sultry, to the humorous, to feelings of pity. One appreciates that diversity, since access of only one of those emotions would have left the experience dull.
Although I did not enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed potential from it's cover, and maybe ACTUALLY reading the book in the bath would have helped, I think it was worth the try. Test it for yourself, and see what you think.
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