Book Review: My Hundred Lovers by Susan Johnson
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, 31-05-2012 at 09:46
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If you were to try and describe love, you'd probably find yourself using metaphors that relate to your favourite foods, memories, or sensations. Orgasmic chocolate? Yes, please! And don't get me started on the varied uses of creamy as an adjective. Or salty. Did somebody say 'chocolate'? Where was I …
Apologies for the generalisation, but I reckon that most women would agree that love is so interlocked with all five of our senses that desire can be stimulated by more than just physical need. I remember the days when my idea of a winning Friday night was getting my raunch on with my hunk'o'spunk husband in a night of passionate flesh-moulding. Now, sadly, I crave for a different kind of stickiness (date pudding), while cuddling a bottle of pinot before retiring for an early night. Sorry, honey—I still worship your handsomeness, I'm just so damn tired.
But the marvellous thing about growing up, getting married, having babies and all that, is the emotional landmarks that shape your perspective along the way. And when it comes to love, the things that truly work their seductive magic on you can render the very beat of your heart. In her latest masterpiece, My Hundred Lovers, Susan Johnson refers to these beacons of passion as 'lovers' which is quite clever when you think about it. I mean, how often have you used the word 'love' to describe something special to you (a childhood pet, your favourite song, Johnny Depp) and actually, genuinely, truly, madly, deeply meant it. Quite often, I'd wager.
I devoured this book. My Hundred Lovers spoke to me with an intuitive understanding of how it feels to love and be loved. I felt squeamish when it mentioned sex and sexuality (because good lordy, we're not supposed to talk about women's bits, are we?) and felt my heart flutter when my mind wandered to the special keepsakes I have stored in the chambers of my own heart.
My Hundred Lovers is not a romance novel, nor is it an autobiography. It is a gritty, honest, and superbly written tale from an author who understands the journey because she has travelled it herself. The fact that she is from Brisbane is just icing on the mud cake. Read it, savour it, love it.
Read my full review here
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