Henry Morgan

As with many examples of the 'sado-masochism' (or erotic flagellation) genre, this book tends to ramble, with a divergent plot centred on a single individual, a British doctor who progresses from adversity in Afghanistan to rich comfort in England. It is in his adverse phase that he experiences SM practices, and it must be said that these are portrayed specifically as the degradation of women, even though the mind of the reader may be set at ease by some of the women appearing to enjoy the things done to them. In the ‘adverse’ phase, the central character is given a lot of money which allows him to lead a luxurious life in England in the ‘comfort’ phase, indulging his taste for humiliating and beating women. This includes the establishment of a well-paid service in which he trains other men’s wives and daughters to be sexually submissive, fellatio, anal sex and sex with strangers being cornerstones of his sexual world picture. In the case treated in detail, the ‘victim’ participates enthusiastically. In the brief final twist of the novel, his victim manages to turn the tables, and he is launched on a career as a submissive. The book is badly edited, consistently misusing the apostrophe, containing a number of other errors.

As with many examples of the flagellation genre, this book tends to ramble. In Afghanistan, the doctor learns of his need to dominate women, some of whom appear to enjoy this treatment. In England, where he can indulge his taste for humiliation and beating, and he establishes a well-paid service in which he trains other men’s wives and daughters to be submissive. In the case treated in detail, his ‘victim’ participates enthusiastically, but in the brief final twist of the novel, the victim manages to turn the tables, and he himself is launched on a career as a submissive. I found that its faults detracted significantly from the value of the work, although it will no doubt please many.… (altro)