@internrachel @julia1 Today I finally finished Wetlands by Charlotte Roche (229 pages). I say ‘finally’ because I’ve had it since the translation was published in 2009 and I’ve probably stopped and started it more than any other book I’ve tried to read.
The story is told by Helen, an 18-year old in hospital for anal fissure. Her parents are separated and she plans to get them back together through visiting hours. When Helen realises that her plan is not working and she is soon to be discharged she tries to work out a plan to stay longer.
Whilst in the hospital Helen reminisces about her past sexual encounters as well as fantasising about one of the nurses -Robin. She also talks a lot about her love of all bodily fluids (both her own and those of others) and other people’s ‘germphobia’.
When the book first came out there was a lot of debate as to whether it was porn or erotica – for me it was neither. I felt it was incredibly graphic and not at all sexy and… well, a bit pointless. By reading it I feel like I’ve ticked it off my ‘must read’ list but, that said, I probably won’t go back to it or recommend it to others.