The Surrender: An Erotic Memoir

by Toni Bentley

Book Overview

The outrageously intimate memoir that became a media sensation... From the author of four New York Times Notable Books: The Surrender is a shocking story of sexual and spiritual awakening, inspired by what is perhaps the last remaining sexual taboo. Toni Bentley was a ballet dancer. Intensely disciplined, rational, and self-absorbed, she had experienced plenty of sex with both men and women but remained, at her core, an emotional virgin--that is,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060732466
• ISBN13: 9780060732462
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Trip of a Read,...

Sodomy has never had such a voice since perhaps the Marquis de Sade took quill to ink. Ms. Toni Bentley unabashedly gives a detailed and explicit exposition of her submission to her sexual need to yield to the will of men--plural. For her, rapture in submission was achieved in the ultimate subjugation: From giving up her ass for the pure and unadulterated use by a man. This is a graphic memoir that is bound to disturb some and undoubtedly delight many others. There is a fair amount of tedious moments in the work, where the author gets a bit too philosophical in her rationalizing of her experiences, but still the work nonetheless is an honest exposition and memoir of a woman's journey into submission and sexual fulfillment thtough sodomy.

A paean to Anal eroticism!

This is a brazenly revealing first person account of a narcistic ex ballet dancer who, following her retirement and the end of an unfortunate marriage, sets out with huge energy and courage to fully explore all aspects of her libido and sensual proclivities.The graphic details she shares on active and passive oral sex, and ultimately on total submission to extended anal sex to achieve new orgasmic plateaus are wondrous to behold. The story is told with honest motivational insights and more than a little relaxed humor, and whether you approve the action or not, you will find Toni a hugely endearing woman,

A collection of erotic postcards

I read recently that 74% of women who tried anal sex liked it, but only 14% admitted to it. Well, Toni Bentley admits to it, in spades. This is not an erotic novel meant to excite. This is an erotic memoir meant to intrigue, seduce, titillate, and ultimately make you sigh. The writing is tight, but not terse. The successive chapters follow each other like postcards; intimate pictures of a life, and lifestyle, that seduces and tempts, while remaining aloof. We should be grateful to Ms. Bentley for sharing this collection of stills from her life, we are enriched for it.

Dark side of the moon

I'm a big proponent of the notion that the world would be a much better place if everyone would just get over the idea that there is such a thing as `normal' when it comes to sex. Which is why, I am so jazzed about this lovely, funny, erotic, whacked and remarkably honest little book about the pleasures of sodomy. I always wondered what it was about women who enjoyed this particular activity (as opposed to those who do not) and now, damned if I don't have a pretty good idea. From the surprise hidden under the cover onward, this thing never ceased to amuse me and take my breath away. I guess the lovely Ms. Bentley has more in her than just ballet books.

A book not to be missed

Toni Bentley is a brilliant author and very brave woman. The Surrender is an honest, humorous, enlightened and rich book about one woman's experience of finding spirit through her surrender into the world of sexuality, sodomy and union with a soul mate. Most people never have the chance in their lifetime to know what it means to merge with another through their sexuality, heal masochistic tendencies and childhood wounds through pure love, or find God through ecstatic surrender to another. This book is the vicarious thrill of knowing what all of that would be like. It is a voyeuristic pleasure to watch such an articulate, open, cultured and successful woman find such an unconventional way to reach God and her own transformation from hurt child to powerful Goddess. I would recommend this book to any woman who has been exploited in a man's world and can appreciate the tantric way of sodomy.