 Written
in the 1980's, the Beauty series of novels was an instant sensation because
of its highly charged erotic content and its focus upon themes of domination
and submission. Coming as the books did at the height of the feminist movement,
the idea of a heroine who willingly sought slavery with a strong Master
was controversial to say the least, and roundly condemned by those with
a limited understanding of the complexity and diversity of human relationships.
In three compelling books, 'The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty', 'Beauty's
Punishment', and 'Beauty's Release' Anne Rice (writing as A N Roquelaure)
created a world which members of the BDSM fraternity took straight to their
hearts and have cherished ever since.
The Claiming of Sleeping
Beauty (1983) - Inspired by the myth of Sleeping Beauty, a favorite
of her daughter's, Anne wrote a frankly pornographicc novel about dominance
and submission. In her story, Beauty has been asleep for a hundred years.
Many princes and suitors have tried to climb her castle walls, but all
have been killed by poisionous thorns. One prince makes it through by cutting
the plants at the roots and awakens Beauty, not with a kiss, but a startling
sexual encounter. His reward for ending the hundred years of enchantment
is Beauty's complete and total enslavement to him. The novel explores the
psychology of surrender in erotic and graphic encounters of submission.
Beauty's Punishment (1984)
- The second novel begins where the first ended, with Beauty disobeying
her Master deliberately to provoke even harsher punshiments. Having indulged
in a secret and forbidden infatuation with the rebellious slave, Prince
Tristan, she is sent away from the Satyricon-like world of the Castle.
Sold at auction, she is taken to "the village," where the brazenly handsome
Captain of the Guard takes over her education in love, cruelty, dominance,
submission, and tenderness. Eventually the village is sacked, with Tristan
and Beauty taken away as spoils.
Beauty's Release (1985)
- The trilogy ends in a new land, where the slaves have been brought to
new depths of punishment and isolation. Beauty is horrified to discover
that the sultan's wives have all been sexually mutilated. She sets about
helping one of them learn what pleasure is. Laurent becomes the secret
master to the sultan's steward in charge of the slaves. Laurent and Tristan
find themselves tested in competition to please the sultan, who is no longer
just a master, but a true sovereign. The characters are rescued and returned
to their homeland, and Beauty returns to her parents. Beauty is unable
and unwilling to adjust to no longer being a slave. She rejects all suitors
and yearns for one of the slaves who will understand. She is rescued from
misery by Laurent, who has become the master of his family castle and who
commands Beauty to become his wife and secret slave. A happy ending !
What sets the beauty series
apart from its many imitators, I suppose, is quality. Its not great art
but its pretty readable.The problem with most published erotic stories
and books is that, quite frankly, they are amateurish. Being an accomplished
mainstream author of hugely popular books ( e.g. the vampire series) Anne
Rice was able to produce a credible and well-written work of erotica that
pressed all the right buttons for those who love the darker side of sexuality.
The Beauty Series is another BDSM icon |
