Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: book review: BARE

  1. #1
    IACali
    Guest

    Default book review: BARE

    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

  2. #2
    Senior Member slashingbeauty's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Anywhere but here
    Posts
    116
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: book review: BARE

    i have this book, I read it quite a while ago. I enjoyed it bc I have only club danced and done a few (very straight and narrow) private parties. I loved reading about the private parties that the girls did in the book, the way they handled their performance. It was fascinating to me.
    I also liked the woman who lived in her dream house, the one who bought and sold real estate. Cool.
    However, it didn't quite measure up to "Strip City" for me. Or "RealLiveNudeGirl". Both of those books made me take a very close look at what I do for a living and how I'd like to do it in the future.
    "Bare" was just sort of entertainment for me.
    I did like it, though.
    Has anyone read books about the brothels in Nevada and could recommend one to me? That part of the industry is interesting to me, too.

    -slashingbeauty

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 16
    Last Post: 10-16-2008, 09:25 AM
  2. The Bare Facts
    By Mimi NY in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 03-30-2008, 09:50 PM
  3. Bare Assets
    By Alexis81 in forum Club Chat
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-22-2006, 10:21 AM
  4. Bare Escentuals HOW TO please
    By pariah in forum Body Business
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-01-2004, 12:36 AM
  5. Bare minnerals
    By lilac666 in forum Body Business
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-21-2003, 07:28 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •