Just got done reading Bare: The Naked Truth about Stripping, by Elisabeth Eaves. It's a good read, I read it all in one sitting, but that's bc I'm a geek and love to read.
Eaves' take on stripping includes quite a bit that I can't relate to, as she was primarily working through the early-mid 90's, when I was still in high school. The prices she speaks of completely blow my mind. She worked mostly at the Lusty Lady (peep shows behind glass) although dabbled in club dancing for just a bit (three shifts, I think) at the end of her career. She also follows the careers of several other dancers/friends that she met via the Lady, as they club danced, escorted, and did private shows and parties.
The book does a nice job of showing the wide variety of women working in the sex industry. One woman saves like mad and lives in her dream home, surrounding herself with everything material that she wants. Another pretty much couch-hops, lives in the spare rooms of her friends, and owns basically nothing except for her bike. She travels/bikes for half the year and works for the other half.
Eaves also follows the relationships that her dancer-friends engage in. She doesn't manage to portray a single relationship that is successful, whether lesbian or straight. Almost every male character has major issues with his SO stripping, and most of the strippers experience negative sexual "side effects" in their relationships that Eaves blames on their career.
So while some things don't paint the sex industry in an altogether truthful light, furthering some typical stereotypes, she does do a great job of describing the different emotions that we feel as a result, or while, putting our bodies on display. Especially when describing the roller-coaster ride for a newbie dancer, she hits it right on the head.
At one point after she has stopped dancing, Eaves is offended bc a well-meaning acquaintance tells her that it's good she "got out". Eaves is indignant, having never considered the sex industry something that she needed to "get out of". I think that's a great, and very impt point. Unfortunately, later on in the story, another former stripper tells her, "he was right, you're very lucky that you got out", which tips the balance the other way.
Overall, pretty middle of the road for stripping stereotypes. A little irked that she claims to "strip" but yet her experience is completely unlike what I consider "stripping". Small-minded on my part, or presumptuous on hers? I'm not sure.
Give it a read, would love to hear other opinions.
Cali



Reply With Quote

Bookmarks