My Favorite Wicked Story from Best American Erotica

Every year I publish Best American Erotica, I always pick one story that I especially like to read aloud at book events. Usually, the first time I read it, it’s in bed with my lover, because I get so inspired I have to try it out on him.

My favorite “read-aloud” story in this year’s BAE 2005 is "Surviving Darwin” by Alicia Gifford.

Why do I like this story so much?

For one, it’s told from the point of view of a very wicked female character, a rather unusual naughty nurse. As a recovering Catholic, I can’t resist voicing her amoral thoughts.  It’s a noir story, with no golden heroes to applaud, and a lot of suspense... it’s a kinky crime story, actually.  The explicit sex passages are brief, but in her case, understatment packs a whallop.

I asked Alicia if I could offer you a reprint of the story here on my blog, and she kindly agreed. Other authors in BAE 2005 include Mary Gaitskill ("The Ugly Cock Dance") and Nelson George "(It’s Never Too Late in New York") as well as Steve Almond remembering the best Ecstacy party ever.

It’s never too late, whereever you are, to check out a copy!  If you read Alicia's story, or any of the others, I'd be interested to hear what you think.