Is there a difference between writing about sex and that writing being pornographic? I think so, and this book seems to support that idea - there is a sadness behind so much of this tale of two people talking through the night that keeps the sexiness of their exchange at one reserve. I wasn't expecting to get as much out of this book as I did. ( )

Let's just say that if the idea of reading one long (and I do mean looooong) phone sex conversation that involves numerous tales of sexual exploits and the exploration of human sexuality in society among other things makes your stomach queasy and you set to faint then do not read this book. If these things are up your alley, there is no way you cannot enjoy this book.

Also, sex. Sex sex sex. Did I mention it's about two people who eventually get off from the other's voice? Just letting you know. ( )

So last night. What did you do?

I finished Vox. I couldn’t resist. COULDN’T put it down.

Of course. Vox. And?

And what?

Well, did you…? While you were reading it? Tell me how you were.

I was pretty much as I am now. Dressed. Sitting up. Left leg crossed other the other. I mean, I wasn’t at my computer. I was sitting at the kitchen table.

But you didn’t find it that sexy then. If you didn’t – ….?

Oh, it was incredibly sexy. Why do you think I couldn’t put it down? Actually, I have a confession to make…

Yes?

I want to use pretentious sounding expressions to describe it, ones that certainly wouldn’t fit into the style of the book.

Like what?

Well, like – it is a tour de force. An absolutely virtuoso demonstration that it is possible to write something sustained about sex that doesn’t make a false note, not once. It even manages to be hilariously funny without once losing its nature – erotic? Maybe. Certainly as sexy as sexy can be.

I see what you mean. A bit pretentious.

I’m thinking of reviewing it for goodreads, you know. That site I told you about. If you want to get votes, you need to be a bit pretentious. Show you are clever. You don’t get votes for being dumb. [2018 update: how times have changed.....]

You still haven’t told me why you didn’t make yourself….while you were….

Truth? It wouldn’t have fitted into my goodreads review. Actual sex doesn’t get you votes. You have to talk about it obliquely. The point of goodreads is that people think they can talk about sex all the time as long as they sound…ummmm…arty about it. It makes them feel superior. Better than if they just bought a copy of Ralph and tossed off to it. What’s that noise?

Oh. I was just. Well. Just putting my copy of Ralph under the cushion. We did agree we would be completely honest with each other, didn’t we? So do you prefer boys on goodreads to ones who read Ralph then?

rest here:
http://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/vox-by-nicholson-baker/ ( )

So last night. What did you do?

I finished Vox. I couldn’t resist. COULDN’T put it down.

Of course. Vox. And?

And what?

Well, did you…? While you were reading it? Tell me how you were.

I was pretty much as I am now. Dressed. Sitting up. Left leg crossed other the other. I mean, I wasn’t at my computer. I was sitting at the kitchen table.

But you didn’t find it that sexy then. If you didn’t – ….?

Oh, it was incredibly sexy. Why do you think I couldn’t put it down? Actually, I have a confession to make…

Yes?

I want to use pretentious sounding expressions to describe it, ones that certainly wouldn’t fit into the style of the book.

Like what?

Well, like – it is a tour de force. An absolutely virtuoso demonstration that it is possible to write something sustained about sex that doesn’t make a false note, not once. It even manages to be hilariously funny without once losing its nature – erotic? Maybe. Certainly as sexy as sexy can be.

I see what you mean. A bit pretentious.

I’m thinking of reviewing it for goodreads, you know. That site I told you about. If you want to get votes, you need to be a bit pretentious. Show you are clever. You don’t get votes for being dumb. [2018 update: how times have changed.....]

You still haven’t told me why you didn’t make yourself….while you were….

Truth? It wouldn’t have fitted into my goodreads review. Actual sex doesn’t get you votes. You have to talk about it obliquely. The point of goodreads is that people think they can talk about sex all the time as long as they sound…ummmm…arty about it. It makes them feel superior. Better than if they just bought a copy of Ralph and tossed off to it. What’s that noise?

Oh. I was just. Well. Just putting my copy of Ralph under the cushion. We did agree we would be completely honest with each other, didn’t we? So do you prefer boys on goodreads to ones who read Ralph then?

rest here:
http://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/vox-by-nicholson-baker/ ( )

So last night. What did you do?

I finished Vox. I couldn’t resist. COULDN’T put it down.

Of course. Vox. And?

And what?

Well, did you…? While you were reading it? Tell me how you were.

I was pretty much as I am now. Dressed. Sitting up. Left leg crossed other the other. I mean, I wasn’t at my computer. I was sitting at the kitchen table.

But you didn’t find it that sexy then. If you didn’t – ….?

Oh, it was incredibly sexy. Why do you think I couldn’t put it down? Actually, I have a confession to make…

Yes?

I want to use pretentious sounding expressions to describe it, ones that certainly wouldn’t fit into the style of the book.

Like what?

Well, like – it is a tour de force. An absolutely virtuoso demonstration that it is possible to write something sustained about sex that doesn’t make a false note, not once. It even manages to be hilariously funny without once losing its nature – erotic? Maybe. Certainly as sexy as sexy can be.

I see what you mean. A bit pretentious.

I’m thinking of reviewing it for goodreads, you know. That site I told you about. If you want to get votes, you need to be a bit pretentious. Show you are clever. You don’t get votes for being dumb. [2018 update: how times have changed.....]

You still haven’t told me why you didn’t make yourself….while you were….

Truth? It wouldn’t have fitted into my goodreads review. Actual sex doesn’t get you votes. You have to talk about it obliquely. The point of goodreads is that people think they can talk about sex all the time as long as they sound…ummmm…arty about it. It makes them feel superior. Better than if they just bought a copy of Ralph and tossed off to it. What’s that noise?

Oh. I was just. Well. Just putting my copy of Ralph under the cushion. We did agree we would be completely honest with each other, didn’t we? So do you prefer boys on goodreads to ones who read Ralph then?

rest here:
http://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/vox-by-nicholson-baker/ ( )