Book Chatter

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

I recently finished an amazing book, and I'd like to share some of what I've learned. The book was recommended by a friend of mine. A very learned woman who thought it would help me gain perspective of the plight of women in a male dominated medical realm. Wow, gut-wrenching, sad, tears, joy and admiration were just a few of the emotions I experienced while reading the book.

The title is Women Under the Knife by Dr. Ann Dally. Don't attempt the read if you're not ready to have your toes curl and blood burn. It takes a systematic look at the historical progress of medicine as it relates to women, focusing on mainly sexual issues. You'd be amazed about the abuse, and courage of male doctors and very humble women in this arena. While some performed useless surgery to pad pockets and misogynistic need, others operated out of a pure sense to free women of difficulties. Some of the stories are courageous, of women suffering through the horrors of fistulas and undergoing surgery sans any anesthesia or protection against infection.

At one point in the text, it studies the sheer quantity of unrequired surgeries women endure for a variety of personal reasons and doctor needs. Unneeded surgery that women endure with little or no thought to the consequences and many times not even knowing that surgery was going to happen; hubby wanted something done to quiet his horny wife. Why not cut her clitoris off?

If your looking for a read that may change your perspective forever, I recommend this title.

And thank you raspy voice, for telling me that I must read this book. I love you.

Next up, I'm learning about the PUSSY (not of the kitty cat variety) by reading The Story of V: A Natural History of Female Sexuality by Catherine Blackledge, also recommended by my teacher.

Please share any titles that may have moved you.

May your day and life be peaceful.

Espie

 

[Mac2383]

hi

Wow! Sounds like an interesting book all right, however, i think the title alone would stop me from picking it up.....
By the way, nice haiku, but i think i would take the "by:" out and move Jack's name a little over the the right.....
xxx
Mac
Oh yes, how about: The Three Pillars of Zen by Roshi Philip Kapleau......

I recently finished an amazing book, and I'd like to share some of what I've learned. The book was recommended by a friend of mine. A very learned woman who thought it would help me gain perspective of the plight of women in a male dominated medical realm. Wow, gut-wrenching, sad, tears, joy and admiration were just a few of the emotions I experienced while reading the book.

The title is Women Under the Knife by Dr. Ann Dally. Don't attempt the read if you're not ready to have your toes curl and blood burn. It takes a systematic look at the historical progress of medicine as it relates to women, focusing on mainly sexual issues. You'd be amazed about the abuse, and courage of male doctors and very humble women in this arena. While some performed useless surgery to pad pockets and misogynistic need, others operated out of a pure sense to free women of difficulties. Some of the stories are courageous, of women suffering through the horrors of fistulas and undergoing surgery sans any anesthesia or protection against infection.

At one point in the text, it studies the sheer quantity of unrequired surgeries women endure for a variety of personal reasons and doctor needs. Unneeded surgery that women endure with little or no thought to the consequences and many times not even knowing that surgery was going to happen; hubby wanted something done to quiet his horny wife. Why not cut her clitoris off?

If your looking for a read that may change your perspective forever, I recommend this title.

And thank you raspy voice, for telling me that I must read this book. I love you.

Next up, I'm learning about the PUSSY (not of the kitty cat variety) by reading The Story of O: A Natural History of Female Sexuality by Catherine Blackledge, also recommended by my teacher.

Please share any titles that may have moved you.

May your day and life be peaceful.

Espie

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

Wow! Sounds like an interesting book all right, however, i think the title alone would stop me from picking it up.....
By the way, nice haiku, but i think i would take the "by:" out and move Jack's name a little over the the right.....
xxx
Mac
Oh yes, how about: The Three Pillars of Zen by Roshi Philip Kapleau......

Tis done, and hello Mac. I don't know how to bump the name over. Thanks for the suggestion on reading. I wonder where I found that haiku? *wink*

 

[Etoile]

Women Under the Knife sounds good. Reminds me of what I just read for my Women's History class - the story of Sarah Grosvenor of Pomfret CT, whose abortion was botched in 1742 and she died.

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

Women Under the Knife sounds good. Reminds me of what I just read for my Women's History class - the story of Sarah Grosvenor of Pomfret CT, whose abortion was botched in 1742 and she died.

The abuse that women (and men) have endured over some Doctor's seeking wealth is abysmal. The only fortunate thing that occurred was that knowledge of women increased, but it came at a huge cost. So many lost their lives.

I'm going to do a search on Sarah Grosvenor. I wonder what lead to a doctor attempting such in that day and age? Info if ya have it handy.

 

[Etoile]

The abuse that women (and men) have endured over some Doctor's seeking wealth is abysmal. The only fortunate thing that occurred was that knowledge of women increased, but it came at a huge cost. So many lost their lives.

I'm going to do a search on Sarah Grosvenor. I wonder what lead to a doctor attempting such in that day and age? Info if ya have it handy.

Sarah Grosvenor had premarital sex with Amasa Sessions, and what normally happens with such things did happen. Sessions couldn't be bothered to marry her and become a responsible father, so he ordered her to take abortifacients. (Apparently some plants that grew in the area at the time were known to cause abortions.) She was ashamed of being pregnant because it was evidence of premarital sex, so she agreed to do it, although she wasn't happy about it. She took the medication for some time - given by a Dr. Hallowell - and still hadn't aborted. (Abortion was legal prior to "quickening" at this time - quickening being when the mother first feels the baby kick.)

So because she hadn't aborted, Sessions went back to Dr. Hallowell and asked his advice. At this point it becomes murky. Hallowell told Grosvenor that because the drugs hadn't worked, he would have to abort the baby himself, or it would cause her to die because the baby was still inside her. Now, whether he really believed that, or just gave the excuse so she'd consent to the abortion, nobody knows.

At any rate, he jammed implements into the poor girl's uterus - she was 19 at the time - and never did get the baby out. He left her in terrible shape, and her sisters were left to care for her. She finally miscarried a couple of days later, and her sisters buried the baby in some woods nearby. Unfortunately the stress of everything caught up with Sarah Grosvenor, and she died shortly after the miscarriage.

Three years later, one of the sisters finally came forward and blamed Hallowell for Sarah's death. Reportedly Sarah was haunting her and that prompted her to come forward, or maybe she was just tired of keeping the secret, we don't really know. Sessions, Hallowell, and the two sisters were all charged; only Hallowell was found to have any guilt in the matter. He was sentenced to public humiliation in the pillory and perhaps some jail time, I don't quite remember.

He got away scot-free, though, by running off to a nearby town and establishing himself as a trustworthy doctor. When the sentence came through, the town refused to send him back to Pomfret, saying he couldn't possibly have killed anyone. So he was never punished for the murder of Sarah Grosvenor.

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

Sarah Grosvenor had premarital sex with Amasa Sessions, and what normally happens with such things did happen. Sessions couldn't be bothered to marry her and become a responsible father, so he ordered her to take abortifacients. (Apparently some plants that grew in the area at the time were known to cause abortions.) She was ashamed of being pregnant because it was evidence of premarital sex, so she agreed to do it, although she wasn't happy about it. She took the medication for some time - given by a Dr. Hallowell - and still hadn't aborted. (Abortion was legal prior to "quickening" at this time - quickening being when the mother first feels the baby kick.)

So because she hadn't aborted, Sessions went back to Dr. Hallowell and asked his advice. At this point it becomes murky. Hallowell told Grosvenor that because the drugs hadn't worked, he would have to abort the baby himself, or it would cause her to die because the baby was still inside her. Now, whether he really believed that, or just gave the excuse so she'd consent to the abortion, nobody knows.

At any rate, he jammed implements into the poor girl's uterus - she was 19 at the time - and never did get the baby out. He left her in terrible shape, and her sisters were left to care for her. She finally miscarried a couple of days later, and her sisters buried the baby in some woods nearby. Unfortunately the stress of everything caught up with Sarah Grosvenor, and she died shortly after the miscarriage.

Three years later, one of the sisters finally came forward and blamed Hallowell for Sarah's death. Reportedly Sarah was haunting her and that prompted her to come forward, or maybe she was just tired of keeping the secret, we don't really know. Sessions, Hallowell, and the two sisters were all charged; only Hallowell was found to have any guilt in the matter. He was sentenced to public humiliation in the pillory and perhaps some jail time, I don't quite remember.

He got away scot-free, though, by running off to a nearby town and establishing himself as a trustworthy doctor. When the sentence came through, the town refused to send him back to Pomfret, saying he couldn't possibly have killed anyone. So he was never punished for the murder of Sarah Grosvenor.

Sad story, and thanks for the information. It appears that many got away with mutilation and other abuses such as this. Kellogg, of the cereal fame was another perpetrator. So think of that next time you have a bowel of cereal.
Link below

http://www.historyhouse.com/in_history/cereal/

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

I like books that are quirky and different, and when I saw a review on The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz, I knew I needed to read it. The Novel tells about a strange kid named Oscar who grows up in a fantasy world. What is interesting is the style used by the author, coupled with the quirky sentence length and strange meanderings of the protagonist. Diaz empolys a variety of methods to keep you hooked, none better that the use of Spanglish.

Oscar is haunted by his family's past and their curse called fuku. The story tells of their move from Santo Domingo to New Jeresey, and highlights a rich tapestry of strange characters, from his beauty queen mother, Belicia, to his runaway sister, Lola. I couldn't put this book down, and it was a devilish story that kept me intrigued.

It's a tragedy, and the ending will send you to tears, but that's what a good book should do, elicit emotion.

The book gets a solid 8/10 on the Espie scale.

May your day and life be peaceful,

Espie

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

The Loveliest Butterfly by A. Mistory

What moves you? What triggers an emotional response that has you titillated one moment and crying the next, or crying while you are titillated? For a young woman, I'd consider myself well read, seeking erotic literature not only for the obvious sexual pleasure, but also the enjoyment of the complexity wrought in the tragedy of the human condition. I like erotic stories that emphasize plot as well as sex, but when it comes to the sex, I want it hot and lusty, full of the passion I enjoy with my wife. If I just wanted sex, I can go to my wife, so erotica must also bring images to my mind that are ripe and exploding

The Loveliest Butterfly, by A. Mistory, is one such story. A tangled web entraps three young women in an unlikely relationship. The ensuing tale down life's painful rocky road will have you restlessly turning each page. You will endure pain, joy, and fulfillment, then read an ending that's so surprising it will make your jaw drop and your panties soak

Tess, the love-struck teen that comes to terms with her lesbianism falls in love with the red haired, freckled-faced Maeve, an insecure beauty with a deep dark secret. Enter stage left is the brash, in-your-face, too-sexy Marsha, a woman full of the lust for life, and love for, first Tess, then both Tess and Maeve. What happens to the three of them is called LIFE, and as a reader you are taken on a ride that has you crying one moment, and horny the next.

This is a coming of age story, featuring love in its many strange manifestations. What moved me was Maeve's secret because I admire all who overcome difficulty to find happiness. One can relate to her, because all must go through difficulty.

The author forced me to love the characters by employing a wicked, yet quirky style that I'd never read before. I don't know how to describe the style, and I've spent considerable time thinking about it. The best word I can use is unique, the voice born from the experience of living in a real world. I felt this story down to the tips of my toes as if it happened to three friends of mine (okay, my friends are a bit different).

For the record, I know A. Mistory as an i'net friend, so perhaps you will say I'm biased. Yes, I freely admit that, but I hardly think it has anything to do with my recommendation for this story. Read the story for your own verification of what I say. The author receives no benefit from this recommendation; all proceeds from her books go the The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, a worthy organization as far as I can tell. You may read a short bio on the author HERE, and purchase the book HERE at eXcessica.com. All proceeds go to charity, so you will be supporting our lesbian sisters and gay brothers in crisis.

This story is a ten out of ten on the Espie scale, now where is that wife of mine? Damn, I'm excited--thinking about Maeve's pussy again.

And that's one little lezzie's opinion,

Espie



A short excerpt is below.

Marsha did have a very sweet looking body. I mean, she was delicate, sexy as could be, and had me eager to get it on with her. Marsha’s smallish breasts were heaving wildly, her eyes too, and was licking her lips too much. We got each other naked, and stood staring at each other. What made Marsha even sweeter looking to me was that she was shaved. That was an unneeded stimulant, but one that I anxiously looked forward to.

“Oh, God, Tess, kiss me, damn it,” she whispered hotly.

I took her face in my hands and let her have it. After that, I was lost, my need was so great. It had been too long since I’d been with Ginger, and my body was crying out its need. My pussy had to be dripping as much as I knew Marsha’s was. She was making all kinds of sexy noises, and I was making them too. Then we were on the bed.

Marsha wanted to be on top, but I wouldn’t have it. Her body was mine, for now, at least. I ravaged her face and lips, my hunger expressing itself with a zest I was shocked at. I relished every cell on her lips, and tasted nothing but sweetness. When I worked my way down her body after we’d let our pussies say hello to each other, I found Marsha delicious everywhere. Delicious, needy, and appreciative, her hands greedy to touch me as best she could, her hips wildly wanting me to get to her.

I had to visit those sweet tits of hers first though. Marsha was so saucy with me from the first, and tempting as could be, and I couldn’t pass them up. I was glad I didn’t. Marsha loved her tits made over, especially her nipples. Her moans and groans drove me to want her more, to drive her as wild as I could. I worked her over until she was raving, and I was certain that she’d had at least one orgasm, if not more. She was either so sensitive on her nipples, or she was too wanting of me-that or she loved the way I nibbled on them. I wondered if she could tell how needy I was.

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

Just a bump so this thread doesn't get deleted. Will be reviewing The Well of Loneliness by Radcliffe Hall before the weekend is over

 

[Etoile]

Threads never get deleted for inactivity, they just go onto page 2! They only get deleted if they're spam.

 

[Esperanza_Hidalgo]

Threads never get deleted for inactivity, they just go onto page 2! They only get deleted if they're spam.

Thanks! I'm second page famous!