Noguez, Nin, camelote

Camelote is the French word for bargain basement purchase -- I'm reading these days some things that my boyfriend got me. The most interesting was a study of D.H. Lawrence by Anais Nin -- one pornographer to another, I guess. Both writers are preoccupied by the life of the body, and for two cultured writers they certainly focused on the genitality of sex rather than any more spiritual meaning. there were two pulp novels, a Harlequin translated into French and a trashy novel written by a former actress -- Jeanne by Nicole Avril. The blurb says the author is passionate about writing: I hope that she is her own reward, because it's ordinary and predictable. There was also an Alfred Hitchcock Presents collection of short stories. Some of the stories have real originality, although horror is not my thing. In one story, someone who is a sculptor of lifelike works turns out to be a taxidermist...quite a twist. Finally, there is Amour noir by Dominique Noguez, an ill-starred love story between a white Frenchman and an exotic African beauty. anyone who's ever been in an unhealthy relationship will shudder in recognition. As you might expect, she treats him badly and exploits him shamelessly, much like Mildred in Human Bondage.