Book recommendations - novels that focus on female desire and betrayal?
December 27, 2014 10:24 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for recommendations around novels that feature female characters who are conflicted about desire and involve sexual betrayal.
I enjoy reading about the psychological turmoil we struggle with when we are sexually attracted to one and are in a long-term committed relationship with another. Particularly like the emotional build-up to the event and that moment where it happens consequences be damned. No objection to hot descriptions of sex either. Recently I enjoyed Helen Walsh's The Lemon Grove and Jonathan's Franzen's Freedom.
Any suggestions as to what to read next?
I enjoy reading about the psychological turmoil we struggle with when we are sexually attracted to one and are in a long-term committed relationship with another. Particularly like the emotional build-up to the event and that moment where it happens consequences be damned. No objection to hot descriptions of sex either. Recently I enjoyed Helen Walsh's The Lemon Grove and Jonathan's Franzen's Freedom.
Any suggestions as to what to read next?
I didn't like it much, but it covers precisely this topic (so you may like it more than me): The Paying Guests, by Sarah Waters.
Some of her other books would probably also be suitable.
posted by minsies at 12:34 PM on December 27, 2014
Some of her other books would probably also be suitable.
posted by minsies at 12:34 PM on December 27, 2014
Madame Bovary.
And the horse whisperer. and I think outlander? I didn't finish it but it seemed to be veering in that direction.
posted by umwhat at 1:55 PM on December 27, 2014
And the horse whisperer. and I think outlander? I didn't finish it but it seemed to be veering in that direction.
posted by umwhat at 1:55 PM on December 27, 2014
Yes, Madame Bovary. And of course Lady Chatterley's Lover comes to mind. Also some Marguerite Duras, especially Moderato Cantabile.
posted by war wrath of wraith at 2:04 PM on December 27, 2014
posted by war wrath of wraith at 2:04 PM on December 27, 2014
Anais Nin's Spy In The House Of Love is very explicitly about this, and super short and good.
posted by piato at 2:19 PM on December 27, 2014
posted by piato at 2:19 PM on December 27, 2014
I'm not sure how specific your request is, but Jaime Gordon's last two novels should meet your needs. They are both excellent. Bogey woman was my favorite novel until her newer one, The Lord of Misrule came out.
posted by OmieWise at 5:56 PM on December 27, 2014
posted by OmieWise at 5:56 PM on December 27, 2014
Brick Lane by Monica Ali might work for this.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 1:49 AM on December 28, 2014
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 1:49 AM on December 28, 2014
If you like seawallrunner's suggestion it was made into a devastating movie.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:50 AM on December 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cjorgensen at 6:50 AM on December 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
Kate Chopin's The Awakening seems like it would fit the bill.
posted by urbanlenny at 8:14 AM on December 29, 2014
posted by urbanlenny at 8:14 AM on December 29, 2014
Don't miss the classic The English Patient. I'm not a fan of Ondaatje's poetic prose, but the themes you request are there!
posted by Gor-ella at 8:26 AM on December 29, 2014
posted by Gor-ella at 8:26 AM on December 29, 2014
For some queer lit reads, Jeanette Winterson is on the ground floor of a great movement in magical realism: The Passion and Stone Gods (for android female desire) to start.
posted by ABlanca at 3:30 PM on February 1, 2015
posted by ABlanca at 3:30 PM on February 1, 2015
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posted by hazyjane at 11:14 AM on December 27, 2014