The Puppy Papers: A Woman's Life and Journey into BDSM [Paperback]

I couldn't decide whether to call this book a biography or an autobiography. It is through a series of emails, over a period of six months, in which Steven Toushin asks puppy sharon probing questions about her past and her understanding of sexuality (in particular hers) that sharon's story comes out but it is through her writings that we get to know her. It could be thought of as an interview as well. Perhaps structurally it is a hybrid. Personally, I like that I can't easily classify this book. It allows it to function as all of the above and creates the ability to enter the material in a variety of ways.

Conceptually it is interesting to find myself (as the reader) participating as voyeur in the budding relationship between Toushin and puppy. To observe as she slowly opens up revealing a fascinating sexual life from childhood to the present. Steven stays out of the way, revealing very little about himself, creating plenty of room for her to divulge her sexual awakenings. The correspondence between the two plays out much like life. There are the mundane emails, the "how are you. I'm fine" aspects, but tucked in between those are treasures of information. Some of which most women growing up in rural and suburban middle America will surely recognize and others that are truly unique to sharon; her openness to exploration reveals a woman self-possessed enough not to be bogged down in the guilt and shame of a slow but maturing understanding of her sexual desires and needs.

sharon's descriptions of her introduction to the BDSM world are absorbing, typically awkward, and sometimes funny as she talks about the pitfalls, as well as the satisfying encounters. Her point-of-view is adventurous and sometimes reveals a naiveté that is inevitable when entering a new world of experience. It is encouraging for those new to this sexual realm to read from a woman's point-of-view who remains intact despite unsuccessful experiences. A woman who handles the situations with calmness, self-possession and a sense of humor not allowing others to defeat or discourage her from continuing her quest to find sexual satisfaction. She seems to know this is all a part of her sexual education, which she is clearly in charge of. It's refreshing to read a woman's story that does not revolve around exploitation.

For those like me, if you begin to become suspicious of who this Steven Toushin guy is (especially after sharon reveals stories about some of the creeps she's encountered) never fear. Check out the appendix. There is plenty of information about him there. Though I do wish he would have included more about himself within the context of the email exchanges I understand the attempt to stay out of the way of sharon's story. It is sometimes successful, sometimes not. There are times when I begin wondering more about who he is which becomes a distraction from sharon.

This book is open-ended leaving the reader with many questions, particularly regarding sharon and Steven's growing relationship. It's some of the most titillating aspects of the book and if you want arousing material then you'll be clamoring for more details regarding their intense sexual interactions. I smell a sequel, which I'd buy. My curiosity has been piqued. The reader is given enough information to keep interested but there is still plenty that is to be explored. Again it is a strategy that points to one of life's conundrums, the inability for one person to fully know another person's mind and the desire to probe their lives all the more intensely. It also reminds us that one cannot judge a person by the way they look. There are plenty of professionals, suburban mothers, and other "normal" everyday people who have interesting and even amazing hidden lives. Makes you what to stop and find out what lurks behind the façade of normalcy that so many exude. It's good to know there are people from all walks of life waking up sexually and being brave enough to follow their inner desires.

It was bound to happen after more than a decade of email becoming mainstream and popular. Autobiographies and biographies are best sellers in America these days and there are increasing numbers of them focused on people who enjoy kinky sex. "The Puppy Papers" is a biography told through emails. It is not, however, really just the story of one woman. Through Puppy Sharon's emails we certainly do read about her life but also about the lives of the men and women she'd met. Most of these are rather clueless in terms of how to do kink safe, sane, and consensually, often letting their fantasies dictate where experience would be a better guide. Her story, however, is probably far more common in the kink community than most people realize. At least with her current dominant, the man who organized and encouraged her emails, she has found someone better and that should give hope to everyone.

i am very surprised to see this book on amazon of all places, i got my copy from the author herself a few years ago at a fetish fair..if you enjoyed the movies 9 1/2 weeks and The Secretary you will find this book to be a very good read, i would've preferred it to be more explicit but don't let that deter you from getting this book..it is as close as you'll get to reading someones diary that lives a very kinky life...

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars