Naughty Paris

The Bibliothèque Nationale de France - François Mitterrand (13th, M° Bibliothèque) will be displaying its special collection of banned books in an exhibition called "L'Enfer de la Bibliothèque, Eros au Secret" from December 4, 2007 through March 2, 2008. Rumor and intrigue have surrounded this mysterious collection of books -- called L'Enfer (Hell) -- for many years. Kept away from public eyes in a special reserve, the books include erotic literature, inflammatory political pamphlets, and even pornographic photography. The exhibition, interdit to those under 16, covers both the creation and maintenance of L'Enfer, as well as the books themselves. Open Tues-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 1-7pm. Entry €7.

They wouldn't let Toni Bentley read from her erotic memoir, The Surrender, in the big American bookstore chains (even though they happily sold the bestseller), so those of us who made it to her first reading ever last night at the Village Voice felt especially lucky. In Paris to launch the French translation (which has a nicer cover, of course), Toni packed out the English book store and, despite (or probably because of) the "taboo" subject matter of the memoir, managed to make us all laugh.

Toni with her French editor Mark Parent at the Village Voice Bookstore, Paris.

There's nothing better than being able to hear authors read in their own voice. And she has a great voice. Light, funny, and really touching. Not at all the detached, "worldly" personality that usually accompanies navel-gazing literature. I'm about half way through my copy, and am happy to say that this is NOT a repeat of the sad and ultimately boring memoir by the French author Catherine M. Hope you all get a chance to read it!
Signing copies afterwards. Note the French cover version on the table.

Thanks to Jennifer K. Dick for sending news of this contest along. If any of you can write in French, this is for you (and I'm not translating it, because if you can't read in French, you sure as hell can't write in it!)

L'association kacophonie_ère a été créée en décembre 2005 pour promouvoir la jeune création contemporaine à travers de évènements ponctuels, thématiques et pluridisciplinaires. Notre prochaine journée aura lieu en juin sur le thème de l'Erotisme, et mêlera arts-plastiques, théâtre, cinéma... Des conteurs se relaieront pour lire des textes tout au long de la journée, textes que nous souhaitons issus d'un concours de nouvelles ouvert à tous, dont voici l'annonce. Concours de nouvelles sur le thème de l'érotisme, organisé par l'association culturelle Kacophonie_ère.

Les nouvelles doivent être d'une longueur de 1 à 10 pages dactylographiées (Times New Roman, police 12, interligne 1,5). Deux nouvelles maximum par participant. Les noms, prénoms, adresse e-mail et coordonnées des participants seront lisiblement inscrits. Le concours est ouvert à tout auteur francophone. Les nouvelles doivent être envoyées en pièce jointe à l'adresse mail suivante avant le 10 mai 2006 : kacophonie_ere@yahoo.fr Toute nouvelle envoyée après la date limite ne sera pas lue. Les nouvelles sélectionnées seront lues par des conteurs lors d'une journée culturelle sur le thème de l'érotisme organisée au mois de Juin par l'association Kacophonie_ère.

Pour en savoir plus sur l'association :http://kacophonie-ere.hautetfort.com ou kacophonie_ere@yahoo.fr

Former ballet dancer Toni Bently shocked none too few souls with her erotic memoir, The Surrender, "a witty, intelligent, and eloquent exploration of one woman's obsession that will be sure to leave readers questioning their own desires." I can hear you all demanding, "What obession?! Do tell!"

In a word, sodomy.

[Okay folks, no more reading this blog from your work computer!]

Let's all go to her reading at the Village Voice (6 rue Princesse, 6th, tel 01 46 33 36 47) on April 6 at 7pm to not only hear a reading from this bold and beautifully-written memoir, but also to get a peek at who else shows up. My guess is that everyone will be dressed like college professors and ask really academic questions; let's go mix it up a little, ladies!. ;)

The author will be introduced by her French editor, Mark Parent with Editions Buchet-Chastel.

One of the easiest ways for GG's (Good Girls) to practice being Bad is to read up on the great French classics. It goes without saying that if the novel was banned in the US it's probably a good read under the covers. Bonus points if the author is a woman. Here are a few must-reads that are either set in France or written by French authors:

- The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings by Marquis De Sade.

Well, pretty much anything by the Marquis De Sade!

- Little Birds, erotica by Anaïs Nin.

Pretty much anything by her, as well!

- Tropic of Cancer by Anaïs's lover, Henry Miller.

- The Lover by Marguerite Duras.

- The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire.

- The Story of O by Pauline Reage. O, baby! Better than the film, trust me.

So what are your favorites? Anyone....anyone?