Francesca Lia Block

NYMPH Nymph is a book of erotic short stories, not a young adult book really. The stories are different than the usual "erotic" stories for two reasons: One, they are generally fantastical in some aspect; and two, they in very small ways interact with each other. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that once in a while the coarse terminology for sexual acts and body parts cuts into the beauty of her poetic writing. I am not generally a fan of sex stories, but Ms. Block made them not only tolerable but enjoyable. "Mer" is the story of a man who has a sexual and loving relationship with a woman who is apparently a mermaid. "Spirit" is a story of a woman whose antidepressants cause sexual disinterest, to the dismay of her lover . . . and how they eventually resolve the problem with the help of a "vacant," condemned house. "Milk" is about a nurse and her relationship with her patients. "Milagro" is about Plum, and what happens when she makes love to Santiago in order to let him find his true love. "Nymph" is about a girl (the best friend of Plum) named Sylvie, who feels like she will never find her true love, and what Plum does to help her do so. "Goddess" is about a club where the women are surgically changed to be exotic, and how Elvis finds his old lover in this place. "Plum" is about Plum again, and how she wants love for herself. "Fox" is about Elvis and his obsession with his girlfriend (before he found her again), and how Dr. Jacqui Fox helps him with fantasies. "Change" is about Carmelita and her jealousy, her writing, and herself. Back to Francesca Lia Block Page