Overview
Amazon review: Matthew Castelli (Alexandria, VA)
One of the many things I really enjoyed about this book is how Madam Becky started and finished the book as it really sets the stage for the whole story, no pun intended. Much like how I wasn't sure with where to start writing this review I can see where Madam Becky might not have been sure where to start her story, but the opening image of Madam Becky speaking to a room full of people, sure that somewhere lurked a punter or two (the statistics back up this assertion), is very much brought to life from start to finish.
Madam Becky shows us a view under the shiny veneer into what some people really want in life in order to feel some fulfilment and connection, whether that connection is with a woman, man, or plush toy. (Spanky Monkey put in some long hours). For example, there is Wiggy, Mistress Matrix, "John" and his wife, and the list goes on. The point here is Madam Becky works to service her customers and treats each, and the material here, with dignity, respect, decency, and fair consideration. Madam Becky's relationship with law enforcement, of which there were many encounters, also demonstrates these qualities. As Madam Becky says at one point - they are just doing their job.
There are quite a few genuinely funny moments that had me laughing out loud, and can best be summed up in the feeling that it can be amazing what one accepts as commonplace and as the "new" normal. These scenes from the book again are told here with dignity and grace, never making fun of anyone, and never outing anyone either. Many customers are discussed here but only Madam Becky knows who they really are, and that is how it should be. The job is to serve customer's needs, not disparage, humiliate, or vilify, well not unless they've paid extra and that is what the customer wants, all part of the job.
Amazon review K. A. Wallis (Milton Keynes)
I didn't really know what to expect when I started to read this book. I certainly could never have imagined the impression it has left on me.
It's fair to say that I had some, probably standard, generalised, pre-conceived ideas about what a brothel was and what the woman who made it her business must be like.
How wide of the mark could those ideas be?
Madam is an emotional roller coaster of a read, full of wit and humility, not to mention a seriously interesting insight into people and their uniqueness (as they say, there's nought so queer as folk!)through the 24:7 routine of a brothel.
It's the story of a woman juggling a career and a family. It may not be everyone's choice of career, but what is certain is that it is the choice of many.
I loved Becky's tenacity and sense of humour in the face of adversity. I haven't been able to put the book down and would recommend it as a very interesting read indeed.
