Review by Peter Syslo
Author Polly Frost’s “Deep Inside: Extreme Erotic Fantasies” (2007, Tor Publishing) is a collection of ten short stories which are erotic in nature. Basically, I will venture to say that this is the most interesting writing that I have encountered, in years. Not since Anne Rice, Clive Barker, or even Vonnegut (think about it - he often delves into these genres) have I seen such a seamless combination of horror, science fiction, and erotica. What I mean by the term “seamless”, is that the stories would still be interesting even if there was no erotic content involved – yes, the sexual content is integral to each story, but it is not a distracting force. On the contrary, the amplified and at times, “over the top” sexual component intertwines with all of the other story elements, fusing into a ddictive and very original tales.
“Deep Inside” is definitely a “page-turner” - there is no doubt about that. The stories each weave in and out of several different genres, including: horror, science fiction, crime/noir, fantasy, and eroticism (there certainly is a “fetish” for everyone in this incredible collection). However, Frost still maintains the erotic core of each story, without diffusing it and “losing” it through the exploration of various genres. But, as I mentioned above, these stories would still be compelling even without the sexuality. For example, “The Pleasure Invaders” (one of my favorites) is a great science fiction story about the citizens of Miami becoming sexually addicted to aliens, called “Serzan”. F rost skillfully lays out that sci-fi premise and then marries that premise with a conspiracy-laden crime story – and the whole thing stems from the idea “spark” of human sexual addiction! It really is great writing, which grabbed a hold of me, held my attention, and truly turned out to be a fulfilling experience, in the end. Also, Frost’s writing is very accessible, to anyone, and her descriptions are very vivid and visually-oriented. For instance, she thoroughly describes the sensations of having sexual intercourse with a mind-reading Serzan in “The Pleasure Invaders”. You think, “Okay, she’s describing sex with an alien creature”, but strangely, her description still makes it “hot” for the reader. Believe me, if she could make a passage about a woman having intercourse with a slimy, tentacled alien seem sexy, then that is a testament to her writing talent.
Regarding the eroticism, the ten stories range from more “relatable” fantasies to very extreme sexual “surrealism”. You get to experience “normal” things like female masturbation to more “heavier” things like erotic asphyxiation; but yet, the fetish depictions are not so offensive as to turn a person totally off of the reading – it is all for the sake of the story. But, don’t get the wrong idea, Frost pulls no punches when it comes to the erotic passages – some are shocking, some are truly dirty, and some are simply “exciting”, in every sense of the word. I think that she not only has written a book where she depicts various fantasies, but she also has provided sort of a “sexual sampler” for the reader, which is also very enticing. Again, there is something for everyone; not all of the erotic fantasies were necessarily “my thing”, a nd some may not be for everyone, but there is definitely a wide variety of experiences to choose from. Also, I think some depictions were deliberately “over-the-top” in order to convey the point that fantasizing is okay, but you should still make it a point to connect with yourself and your partner, in a “real” way.
Aside from “The Pleasure Invaders”, my other personal favorites are: “The Dominatrix Has a Career Crisis” – a dominatrix does some soul-searching and re-connects with her past; “Viagra Babies” – the children of Viagra abusers are regulated and hunted; and “Deep Inside” – a female couple create life-like sex toys which are infused with dark magic. Those are my highlights, but I did thoroughly enjoy all of the stories. When you get right down to it, the connection that is common throughout all of the stories is the basic idea that couples can lose touch with one another in a changing world. The changing world can be caused by the media, technology, or just simply the spirit of the times. The bottom line is the human story – it’s about getting back in touch with your human self, recognizing that you are a sexual being with wants and desires, and fulfilling and expressing tho se desires, in a healthy and non-harmful way (it’s all about being human and embracing your human nature).
To conclude, Polly Frost has penned an amazing collection of engaging stories (most of which I could see as short films) and I really have nothing negative to say about “Deep Inside”. It’s smart, sexy, and it’s devilish fun - I urge readers to check out this book and check out Polly Frost’s work (www.pollyfrost.com). On a final note, speaking as a guy, I was easily able to “get into” the book; it is written from a woman’s perspective, but let me tell you - this woman knows how to write and she knows how to make it appealing to both women and men. So, pick up a copy of “Deep Inside”; read it, explore it, enjoy it, and then go have a passionate evening with your partner. That’s what it is all about – celebrate yourself and one another. I give “Deep Inside” a 10 out of 10.