Pizza, Pincushions and Playing it Straight by Rayne Constantine

Pizza, Pincushions and Playing it Straight by Rayne ConstantinePizza, Pincushions and Playing it Straight by Rayne Constantine
Published on 2nd February 2020
Genres: Autobiography, Girls & Women, Social Issues
Format: eBook
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RRP: $12.95
5 Stars

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like as a sex worker, or how the words “dick cheese” can be used in perfect, horrifying context, then this is a book for you. Surprising. Insightful. Don't drink liquids while reading. This is not a “Happy Hooker” story. This is a “Hooker who is sick of your bullshit” story.

This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

This will be a brief review since it is for a genre I don’t normally review.

Pizza, Pincushions and Playing it Straight is not suitable for young adults UNLESS they are already sexually active, or thinking that they might soon be.

This is because the subject matter is about the author’s time as a legal brothel prostitute in Australia whilst also being gay, and how she balanced having sex with strangers for money.
I have been a fan of the Insufferably Intolerant Science Nerd on Facebook for some time, and when she started posting little vignettes of her ex clients, everyone kept clamouring for a book. Well, we got one.

Constantine fills the pages with data and details about the perks and plight of sex workers not only across Australia, but across the world, showcasing the subject in a frank and honest manner. Some of the essays read quite defensibly, but also impart a wealth of information and education on sex work itself. The vignettes (or ‘interlubes’ as they are titled) are fun or poignant bookends for every chapter. Sometimes the essays can get a bit intense or long, so I found the vignettes are a good way to reward a reader. Constantine also reflects on sexuality, sex experience, and how working at a brothel helped her to become a sexually confident, especially around consent. I found those parts particularly interesting to read.

To be completely honest, the book could do with a pass at an editor, especially around the vignette scenes where dialogue is concerned, but this hasn’t affected my rating since Constantine published this book herself after the demands of her many followers on Facebook, and at several points also made the book free to download. Keeping in mind that Constantine never set out to write a book but did so anyway, and with the education and the entertainment in this book, I think it would be a good read for many people.

You can purchase the book at https://pizza-and-pincushions.myshopify.com.

Nemo
Nemo

About Nemo

A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.

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