“I pushed down my cold, hard fingers onto the soft moist surface. I rubbed every crevice with vigor. I was hungry for the flesh!” These are the words that you might picture emanating from the keyboard of a spinster librarian or a dissatisfied housewife. In reality, it’s just my account of how I prepared this year’s Thanksgiving turkey. Those who have never read well-written erotic fiction may believe that the jimmy-rustling description is typical of the genre. But there is so much more that these novels have to offer.
Those who dabble in the art of erotic fiction are the underdogs of the literary world. These authors are superheroes. They often refrain from revealing their identities for fear of being ostracized. Their talents are taunted — their words equated to jokes. The very word “erotic” kindles shudders, feelings of embarrassment and secret admiration. Why are we so quick to discredit erotic fiction and encourage its stigma?
Let me first clarify the difference between erotic fiction and erotica — yes, there is a difference. Erotic fiction is work that has a clear story and focuses on the emotional and connection components of sex. Erotica is more anatomical and sometimes demeaning to both sexes. Erotica is plagued with euphemisms such as ‘his member’ to refer to male genitalia. Erotic fiction has been misconceived as filthy, literary porn, lacking any significance or artistic merit. Much like comic books, few people can appreciate the quality of erotic fiction and consider it inferior to “real” books.
Well-written erotic fiction can be as evocative and moving as a classic novel. The sexual encounters composed by Vladimir Nabokov, James Joyce and other definitive authors have long outlived their contemporary critiques of being sordid and shameful. Their books are often named in lists of the best novels of all time and heralded for their prose. Stunning portrayals of sex and sex acts written by Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin are still battling their steamy stigma. What is the real difference between classics like “Lolita” and the equally poignant “Delta of Venus”?
Perhaps it’s our sexist societal reflex that hinders us from appreciating gripping erotic fiction, a genre which usually involves a strong female protagonist expressing her sexuality. She is almost always in control of the situation. We are not always given positive sexual experiences from a woman’s perspective. We’re allowed to speculate what a woman may feel, but to have it expressed through prose is not something we’re too familiar with. Today, many women still feel embarrassed or ashamed discussing their sexuality. Looking at sex through a female lens is critical to better understand sex and sexuality.
We must cast off our literary prejudices and learn to respect and tolerate erotic fiction. We should try to expand our comfort zone and appreciate the artistic merits of the genre. No longer should people be humiliated for enjoying sexual novels. If we don’t chastise people for watching porn or owning sex toys, why should we deride those who prefer written stimulation? After all, the imagination is one of the largest erogenous zones.