Intimate Invasions
Intimate Invasions front cover
by M.R. Strict
Published in 2004 by Greenery Press
Klysmaphilia or enema play is one of those topics that embarrasses most people to talk about, much less express an interest in. Given that, a Greenery Press book devoted to the topic would seem a very worthwhile effort towards expanding everyone’s comfort and familiarity with the topic. Or at least, that’s what I thought prior to reading the book. It pains me to have to say this (for one thing I bristle at the bad pun), but simply put this book is shitty.
One consistently annoying thing about BDSM books in general, and Greenery Press titles in particular, is a writing style that uses fantasy scenes interspersed in between matter of fact discussion. Having endured more of these books than anyone really ought, I have come to the conclusion that most BDSM books would not be published were they written about any other topic. Books about even such potentially mundane topics as gardening, cooking, and sewing are generally better written than even the best BDSM book. It is so bad that I own any number of books that I would be embarrassed to have the coroner find on my bookshelf not because they are dirty but simply because they are poorly written.
But I digress. The most astonishing part about Intimate Invasions is that even though it clocks in at about 140 pages, there are perhaps 20 that contain useful information. Without the awful fantasy sequences this book might have been a good fit for Greenery Press’ “Toybag Guide” series. But even that might be a stretch since even those 20 pages are not reliable because M.R. Strict’s knowledge and advice seems suspect. As bad as the factual sections are, the fantasy sequences are even worse.
Just how bad is this book? It is so bad that I would put more faith in the advice from any number of 1970s enema guides marketed by the same companies that specialized enema themed pornography. Even though they often recommend such potentially dangerous practices as giving wine enemas, they tend to demonstrate a greater passion and knowledge of their subject.
I hope that another BDSM publisher and/or author will devote a book to this worthwhile topic. They certainly will have no trouble writing something better than this.
You’re certainly free to dislike my book, I would be the first to admit that the editor’s requirement that I write about all four sexual combinations (mf, ff, fm, mm) taxed my imagination somewhat as I’m a mf guy myself.
As far as fantasy versus “useful information,” as I said at great length in the intro, I wasn’t going to go into the esoterica of enemata, it’s been covered before and also the editor was extremely concerned about the liability issues surrounding some of the exotic stuff that people inject up their bums. On the other hand, I have a whole chapter about the basics of enema administration , and if that’s not “useful information,” what is?
My whole aim was to flesh out how much can be accomplished with imagination and only basic enema administration — what you refer to as “lame fantasies.” Well, it’s funny to me that your site claims to be “literarily” inclined, yet condemns creative writing and demands fake factuality. Isn’t that a bit of a conundrum? You don’t like what I write because you like different stuff — that’s fine, why not just admit it and then move on.
Finally, with regard to suspect knowledge, I’m not really sure what you’re referring to as the basis for that claim. I’ve been giving enemas for 25 years, so I have hands on experience at least. I haven’t taken a course in enema giving, so I admit I’m an advanced amateur. Ought I have a D.En. before I’m qualified to comment?
M.R. Strict
Thanks for reading and responding to the review. I appreciate your defense of your book.
Typically when I write a review the first question that I try to address is whether or not the work, taken as a whole, is enjoyable. The second question that I try to keep in mind is whether or not the book is worth its price.
Unfortunately, I found Intimate Invasions to be neither. Taken as a whole it suffers from a very low signal to noise ratio. As I noted in my original review far more of the book is devoted to fantasy sequences that distract instead of inform. I have come to expect (dread) that in Greenery Press titles. However, the sequences in Intimate Invasions were not especially well written. You acknowledge that writing from other perspectives was challenging for you. They also had the effect of making the book disjointed.
Having read and thought about your entire defense, it sounds to me like you wrote a book to make your editor happy. Since the book was published, I assume you were successful in that; however, as a reader I was unhappy. I did not come away from the book with the sense that I had learned anything in particular about administering enemas, nor did the book inspire me to look at them in a new way. Perhaps the book you wanted to write is substantially better than the one your publisher demanded? If that is the case, I would encourage you to find a way to finish and publish it.
You wrote (presumably of Intimate Invasion’s purpose), “My whole aim was to flesh out how much can be accomplished with imagination and only basic enema administration…” You were not successful in that end. In fact the book made enemas seem both tedious and unsexy (perhaps its worst crime).
You also complain that I criticized the book for not being informative and cite that you have been giving enemas for 25 years. Having not ever met you, I have not the faintest whether you know nothing about enemas or are enema-omniscient. It really matters not. Whatever knowledge you may have in your head did not find its way onto the finished page – the only thing I had to base your knowledge of enemas on.
I have no idea where you got the notion that I demand “fake factuality.” If you can explain that one, I will attempt to respond.
Finally, the word “literarily” has several meaning. I will leave you to the dictionary of your choice to find them. Regardless, the site’s purpose is to pass along candid reviews of BDSM- and sexuality-related books, magazines, and so on. While being liked by everyone is not particularly important to me, being genuine in my reviews is. Unfortunately that means running the risk of upsetting authors and publishers whose works I do not like.
Todd
I appreciate your posting my response and your taking the time to write . I think we’ll have to agree to disagree, I certainly respect your right to your opinion, and your right to write that opinion down.
M.R. Strict
M.R. Strict fuckin’ rocks!!! I oughtta bitch-slap you back to wherever the hell you came from!!! 🙂
Ummm…I’ve been to his home town. It is admittedly an annoying place. I think we are even going to visit family there this weekend. Kind of ironically, it is sort of torturous.
But as far as “comments” go, yours lacks a certain credibility due to your use of not only ‘oughtta’ but also the smiley at the end. Perhaps if you had something more to add, it would be more interesting. Maybe give it another try, add some flair, and get into it more. After all, what critic doesn’t enjoy getting a good heckling?
Whose home town would that be? Mine? I’ve lived so many places over the years that I’d be hard pressed to think of what my home town even is.
BTW, thanks to Nerdrocker for the kudos.
M.R. Strict