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Graphic: Hate crime, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Infidelity, Violence, Vomit
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Deadnaming, Incest, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Deadnaming, Incest
TL;DR REVIEW:
Given the editors and lineup of contributors, it comes as no surprise when Kink is exactly as good you expect it’s going to be.
For you if: You’re interested in short stories that explore humanity. And you are OK with sexual content, even when it is heavy and dark.
FULL REVIEW:
Listen, you don’t really need me to write a review here. All you have to do to know how good this collection is is read the list of contributing writers. This is a group of some of the most INCREDIBLE literary voices of our generation. Carmen Maria Machado? Brandon Taylor? Alexander Chee? ROXANE GAY? You don’t need me, lol.
BUT here I am: Yes, this book is as incredible as you’re expecting. Yes, these stories are moving and squirmy and steamy and emotional and raw and human all the other adjectives you’re expecting. Full stop.
I could call out every single story for different worthy reasons, but I do think that my favorite (as painful as it is to even have to choose a favorite) was “Scissors” by Kim Fu. It was about a woman who was the object in a live show of suspense, where her stage partner acted like she might cut her with scissors and then made the audience think that she was fooling her into believing violence. The reading experience was somehow JUST like being in that audience, like when you watch a stunt show with swords. You KNOW it’s staged and that she’s safe but like…what if she’s not??? You hardly dare to breathe the whole time. But like…in a short story. INCREDIBLE.
Anyway, please read this daring, artful collection of stories about how the deepest parts of our humanity can be revealed in our most intimate moments. Maybe just don't read it in public. 😉
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Sexual content, including sadomasochism and consensual violence; Sexual assault/rape; Deadnaming
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence
Moderate: Deadnaming
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Deadnaming, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Transphobia
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Deadnaming, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Self harm, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Blood