Sexual Angles On Thrills (Press, 6 September 1986)
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Summary: Sexual Angles On Thrills (Press, 6 September 1986)
On 6 September 1986, a review discusses two newly released novels: "The Loves of Harry D" by Lawrence Sanders and "She Came Too Late" by Mary Wings. The review characterises both books as escapist reads but critiques them in fundamentally different ways. "The Loves of Harry D" is described as a part of Sanders’ Florida series, noted for its silly and prurient content, combined with excessive violence. The plot revolves around Harry Dancer, a businessman mourning his late wife, who finds himself the target of recruitment attempts by two secretive organisations. These attempts come with sexual enticements, giving Harry some enjoyment but ultimately reducing the narrative to what is likened to a "dirty book." The review highlights the convoluted plot rife with deception, leading to inevitable violence among the characters. Overall, the book is dismissed as ridiculous and lacking substance. Conversely, "She Came Too Late" is presented as a well-crafted, feminist, and lesbian crime story, noted for its hard-bitten realism. It also grapples with sexuality, albeit in a more radical sense compared to "Harry D." While the novel is acknowledged for its strong writing and reasonable plotting, it is critiqued for its relentless modernism, leaving the reader with an odd aftertaste. The review implies that although this narrative needed to be told, the reviewer feels that its existence is somewhat unfulfilling. Additionally, the price tag of $17.99 for a paperback edition is considered steep, even if it supports The Women’s Press. In summary, while both books engage with themes of sexuality, they are positioned on opposite ends of the literary spectrum, with the former being viewed as trivial and overly sensational, and the latter as socially relevant yet ultimately dissatisfying in its modern approach.
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