Troll Kingdom
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46th & Mercury -- Now Available For Preorder!
- Thread starter The Question
- Start date
You all need to go preorder this NOW.
Slackers.
Slackers.
So did I seem to have come through with this like it sounded like a suggestion? A nudge? A subtle implication?
NO.
I TOLD your asses, go preorder it.
Was that unclear?
NO.
I TOLD your asses, go preorder it.
Was that unclear?
What do you all want before you'll preorder? A synopsis? A WIP?
Speak up.
Speak up.
Show me that you can do better, or shut up.
Because until you prove to me that you can do better, all your shit talkin' means fuck-all.
jack
The Legendary Troll King
LOL
Boring, useless fuck. ,,!,
'Gear
RIP 1970~2018
LOL
jack
The Legendary Troll King
That's awesomepants, Jack. But I wasn't kidding -- I'll make with the synopsis and/or a sample if folk wanna see 'em. 
'Gear
RIP 1970~2018
Review of John Castle's - Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions
Disappointingly Short on Desire, Long on Dysfunction, August 4, 2014
By liz
The term “erotic” comes from the Greek root of eros—desire. “Dysfunction” is defined by a “deviation from the norms of social behavior in a way regarded as bad.” This book is disappointingly short on desire, and long on dysfunction. John Castle set out to collect stories of sexual mishaps and wound up with a hundred, choosing to go for quantity over quality (the excerpts could use a proper editor, and Castle’s excuse that “voice is more important than any technicalities” smacks with laziness). As he writes in the book’s “Foreward,” these are “supposed to entertain you but it might also teach you something about life.”
What this book taught me: John Castle is a misogynist. This book is a waste of $2.99, not to mention my time. And I never ever want to run into John Castle, especially in a bar.
Why, in a culture so inundated with stories of sex (I recall reading embarrassing stories in the pages of women’s magazines when I was a teen), does John Castle feel compelled to share more cringe-worthy tales? “Because people’s audacity and honesty sparked something in me.”
The “audacity” doesn’t come across in the stories, many taken so out of context they leave the reader saying, “so what?” As in, you got caught having sex…so what? The “honesty” is questionable; there isn’t enough detail or stakes in each short to give the reader an incentive to suspend disbelief long enough to be entertained.
For those readers who might say, “oh, you just don’t get it.” Rest assured, I get it: we all have embarrassing sexual encounters, so let’s share them, because sex can be humorous and heartwarming and weird and I’ll ultimately finish this book feeling more connected and less alone! Sex!
But there’s nothing particularly funny about the stories, least of all the author’s own. The “audacity and honesty” sparked something nasty in John Castle, who recounts his most embarrassing sexual encounter in the “Foreward.” At twenty, he went to a bar with a friend, the intention being to get drunk and “violate” a random woman “by f*cking her simultaneously.” It’s part of a “revenge” for his friend’s most embarrassing story, when he was violated and “’raped’” (Castle’s quotation marks, not mine) by women.
First, Castle belittles his (supposed) friend’s sexual experience of being forced into sex (the very definition of rape, if you want to get technical) with his usage of quotation marks. (If he set out to directly quote what the friend says, it doesn’t read as such. Better example: Reken said, “I was raped. I felt violated, and I wanted revenge.”) Then, he’s brutally honest about the intention to f*ck the daylights out of this unsuspecting, intoxicated woman. He seduces her into going to a hotel room with him. She’s obviously uncomfortable with his friend’s presence. But wait, none of this—the misogyny, the abuse—is the embarrassing part. What’s “embarrassing” is the sudden onslaught of “whisky d*ck” that results from Castle having too much to drink. The thoughtlessness of the book is prevalent in what Castle doesn’t say here: that his “whisky d*ck” could have been attributed to feelings of guilt, remorse, or a sudden change of heart as he realizes he’s fallen for his woman. But that would be too heartwarming, too close to desire, and further away from dysfunction.
The end of Castle’s “Foreward” elaborates on the structure of the book, namely the “breaks” between stories, comprised of skulls and quotes like Kurt Cobain’s “It’s better to burn out than fade away.” Irrelevant, if not utterly confounding—especially given that the quotation comes on the heels of a story about people having sex so loudly that everyone at the party downstairs comes looking to see what all the racket is about. Castle explains that these skulls are a reminder that we all die, and the quotes are something to ponder. Mostly, I’m left pondering their relevance to the work as a whole. There’s certainly nothing erotic about the stories, the “breaks,” or the relationship between the two. The stories are completely lacking in emotional intelligence, empathy, intimacy, and feelings other than physical sensations and embarrassment. Since the breaks don’t speak to the stories themselves, I’m left with the notion that they are supposed to add to the overarching theme of dysfunction.
Lastly, Castle leaves the reader with some deep wisdom to consider: reading is an escape, “but eventually we need to face the music. Make our own stories. And live to tell about it.” It’s unclear if the author is advising readers to put themselves in compromising situations. A less discerning reader might take Castle’s advice and follow in his footsteps, seeking a night of debauchery with heavy doses of misogyny and chauvinism. A discerning reader would take one whiff of Castle in a bar and call the police.
Disappointingly Short on Desire, Long on Dysfunction, August 4, 2014
By liz
The term “erotic” comes from the Greek root of eros—desire. “Dysfunction” is defined by a “deviation from the norms of social behavior in a way regarded as bad.” This book is disappointingly short on desire, and long on dysfunction. John Castle set out to collect stories of sexual mishaps and wound up with a hundred, choosing to go for quantity over quality (the excerpts could use a proper editor, and Castle’s excuse that “voice is more important than any technicalities” smacks with laziness). As he writes in the book’s “Foreward,” these are “supposed to entertain you but it might also teach you something about life.”
What this book taught me: John Castle is a misogynist. This book is a waste of $2.99, not to mention my time. And I never ever want to run into John Castle, especially in a bar.
Why, in a culture so inundated with stories of sex (I recall reading embarrassing stories in the pages of women’s magazines when I was a teen), does John Castle feel compelled to share more cringe-worthy tales? “Because people’s audacity and honesty sparked something in me.”
The “audacity” doesn’t come across in the stories, many taken so out of context they leave the reader saying, “so what?” As in, you got caught having sex…so what? The “honesty” is questionable; there isn’t enough detail or stakes in each short to give the reader an incentive to suspend disbelief long enough to be entertained.
For those readers who might say, “oh, you just don’t get it.” Rest assured, I get it: we all have embarrassing sexual encounters, so let’s share them, because sex can be humorous and heartwarming and weird and I’ll ultimately finish this book feeling more connected and less alone! Sex!
But there’s nothing particularly funny about the stories, least of all the author’s own. The “audacity and honesty” sparked something nasty in John Castle, who recounts his most embarrassing sexual encounter in the “Foreward.” At twenty, he went to a bar with a friend, the intention being to get drunk and “violate” a random woman “by f*cking her simultaneously.” It’s part of a “revenge” for his friend’s most embarrassing story, when he was violated and “’raped’” (Castle’s quotation marks, not mine) by women.
First, Castle belittles his (supposed) friend’s sexual experience of being forced into sex (the very definition of rape, if you want to get technical) with his usage of quotation marks. (If he set out to directly quote what the friend says, it doesn’t read as such. Better example: Reken said, “I was raped. I felt violated, and I wanted revenge.”) Then, he’s brutally honest about the intention to f*ck the daylights out of this unsuspecting, intoxicated woman. He seduces her into going to a hotel room with him. She’s obviously uncomfortable with his friend’s presence. But wait, none of this—the misogyny, the abuse—is the embarrassing part. What’s “embarrassing” is the sudden onslaught of “whisky d*ck” that results from Castle having too much to drink. The thoughtlessness of the book is prevalent in what Castle doesn’t say here: that his “whisky d*ck” could have been attributed to feelings of guilt, remorse, or a sudden change of heart as he realizes he’s fallen for his woman. But that would be too heartwarming, too close to desire, and further away from dysfunction.
The end of Castle’s “Foreward” elaborates on the structure of the book, namely the “breaks” between stories, comprised of skulls and quotes like Kurt Cobain’s “It’s better to burn out than fade away.” Irrelevant, if not utterly confounding—especially given that the quotation comes on the heels of a story about people having sex so loudly that everyone at the party downstairs comes looking to see what all the racket is about. Castle explains that these skulls are a reminder that we all die, and the quotes are something to ponder. Mostly, I’m left pondering their relevance to the work as a whole. There’s certainly nothing erotic about the stories, the “breaks,” or the relationship between the two. The stories are completely lacking in emotional intelligence, empathy, intimacy, and feelings other than physical sensations and embarrassment. Since the breaks don’t speak to the stories themselves, I’m left with the notion that they are supposed to add to the overarching theme of dysfunction.
Lastly, Castle leaves the reader with some deep wisdom to consider: reading is an escape, “but eventually we need to face the music. Make our own stories. And live to tell about it.” It’s unclear if the author is advising readers to put themselves in compromising situations. A less discerning reader might take Castle’s advice and follow in his footsteps, seeking a night of debauchery with heavy doses of misogyny and chauvinism. A discerning reader would take one whiff of Castle in a bar and call the police.
jack
The Legendary Troll King
5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality book
Good quality book, states some basic concepts that can make a real difference. The book is well written and offers some useful suggestions and ideas. In addition, it positively challenged me to think about some aspects of my personal relationship, which perhaps I had not considered fully. Highly Recommended!
Published 10 days ago by C. Tiong
› See more 5 star, 4 star reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining Read, September 2, 2014
By
Michael - See all my reviews
This review is from: Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions (Kindle Edition)
A fun compilation of awkward sexual adventures. Whether your love-life is an absolute train wreck or a vision of perfection, you'll get a kick out of these short stories. They are entertaining, to the point and, at times, pushing the limits. A fun read that will definitely lift your mood.
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED the story about the father driving the poor girlfriend ..., July 30, 2014
By
Travis Winston - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions (Kindle Edition)
My head was spinning from this read as I didn't think humans could be so dang creative. I LOVED the story about the father driving the poor girlfriend home after she leaves a huge mess. Rock on, John Castle. We want more.
It's Fun, July 30, 2014 By
Melinda (Philippines) - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions (Kindle Edition)
Entertaining and somehow educational this book is. I never thought I could spend hours reading through all this book, from page 1 to almost finish it, but I did. I was so entertained and educated by the stories/ confessions in this book. I said educational, because I certainly make sure I will not experience those things myself. Funny, more like watching a comedy sex scene and laugh at it. Cool John.
Good quality book, states some basic concepts that can make a real difference. The book is well written and offers some useful suggestions and ideas. In addition, it positively challenged me to think about some aspects of my personal relationship, which perhaps I had not considered fully. Highly Recommended!
Published 10 days ago by C. Tiong
› See more 5 star, 4 star reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining Read, September 2, 2014
By
Michael - See all my reviews
This review is from: Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions (Kindle Edition)
A fun compilation of awkward sexual adventures. Whether your love-life is an absolute train wreck or a vision of perfection, you'll get a kick out of these short stories. They are entertaining, to the point and, at times, pushing the limits. A fun read that will definitely lift your mood.
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED the story about the father driving the poor girlfriend ..., July 30, 2014
By
Travis Winston - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions (Kindle Edition)
My head was spinning from this read as I didn't think humans could be so dang creative. I LOVED the story about the father driving the poor girlfriend home after she leaves a huge mess. Rock on, John Castle. We want more.
It's Fun, July 30, 2014 By
Melinda (Philippines) - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Erotic Dysfunction: People's Most Embarrassing and Absurd Sex Confessions (Kindle Edition)
Entertaining and somehow educational this book is. I never thought I could spend hours reading through all this book, from page 1 to almost finish it, but I did. I was so entertained and educated by the stories/ confessions in this book. I said educational, because I certainly make sure I will not experience those things myself. Funny, more like watching a comedy sex scene and laugh at it. Cool John.
jack
The Legendary Troll King
Is there going to be a book edition? I want a signed copy if so.
It depends on the page count. 46th & Mercury is only intended to be a novella, so it may not have a sufficient word count to make it viable as a print paperback. We'll have to see.