Before E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey and Sylvia Day’s Bared to You, there was Anne Rice’s New York Times best seller The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty In the traditional folktale of “Sleeping Beauty,” the spell cast upon the lovely young princess and everyone in her castle can only be broken by the kiss of a Prince. It is an ancient story, one that originally emerged from and still deeply … originally emerged from and still deeply disturbs the mind’s unconscious. In the first book of the trilogy, Anne Rice (author of Beauty’s Kingdom), writing as A.N. Roquelaure, retells the Beauty story and probes the unspoken implications of this lush, suggestive tale by exploring its undeniable connection to sexual desire. Here the Prince awakens Beauty, not with a kiss, but with sexual initiation. His reward for ending the hundred years of enchantment is Beauty’s complete and total enslavement to him . . . as Anne Rice explores the world of erotic yearning and fantasy in a classic that becomes, with her skillful pen, a compelling experience. Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey will indulge in Rice’s deft storytelling and imaginative eroticism, a sure-to-be classic for years to come.
Praise for The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty:
“Articulate, baroque, and fashionably pornographic.” —Playboy
“Something very special . . . at once so light and yet so haunting.” —The Advocate
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Loved it
Every other page Sleeping Beauty was being whipped and most of the time for no reason. Did not complete the book.
This book, and the others in the series, are truly fucked up. That being said, I did buy and read all three. I very much like Anne Rice and have almost every book she’s written, so I couldn’t not buy them. They are well written and I enjoy the historical feel of them. Not really my usual cup of tea, though.
This Book Puts Fifty Shades to Shame!!!!!
At least I thought so….
I have re-read this book probably close to 6 times or so, followed by the rest of the books following Beauty, lol. I even have, I believe, is the first printings of the first 2 books, along with the more current re-prints and e-books. I have been a fan of Anne Rice since I was a teenager. I am a gr. grandma now, lol.
I first read The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty years ago and even back then the book filled me with gasps, groans, terror and chills. The actions and wording in this book was intense and mind blowing at times, especially if you have a vivid mind while you read…
I can see some readers will not be able the grasp the dealings of what happens and I can see some readers with wide eyes, sweats and mouths hanging open while during and after reading the book.
The title alone will pull you in since your curiosity will want to see how it compares to your childhood memory of the book. All I can say is NOPE- NO- NADA, Lol!!! It is So Much More!!!
XXX Mature reader recommendation,… BUT… if your not into jaw dropping scenes which are considered some would consider dark and twisted, then this book is not for you.
Reviewer for Nook Books and More Blog.
Wear oven mitts when reading this one. May be too hot for some to handle. Not for the faint of heart.
Awful, just awful
While it was well written I just did not enjoy the subject matter. Tried to keep an open mind but in the long run it did not appeal to me.
Worst Novel Ever from AR.
Love these books read years ago.my first dose of fiction s&m, very intense, wonderfully written. Can’t wait to read book 4
Anne Rice always excellent
Anne Rice is an incredible author. This subject is not my taste. I hate the pain. Love her vampire, witches…
This book is erotic but keeps the reader involved because it’s like an erotic fairy tale. I don’t usually choose books like this, but it’s an early Ann Rice, and she’s an incredible writer.
It is a disturbingly brilliant book and extremely well written.
Couldn’t believe I was reading Ann Rice – may finish set.
Garbage
Wow. I love Anne Rice, but I’m not in to BDSM… especially when it’s not even role play.
A great dark and erotic read from Anne Rice. Not what I expected but once I started I could not put the book down.
Very different book (series) than I’m used to. Very naughty, definitely for special people.
One of the worst books I have ever read
Did not like it at all. Could not even finish it.