Mistress Ruby Ties It Together: A Dominatrix Takes On Sex, Power, and the Secret Lives of Upstanding Citizens

By Robin Shamburg and Russell Kirk

Book Overview

Equal parts memoir, how-to and social satire, Mistress Ruby Ties it Together is a guided tour through New York's S underworld, where the author worked as a professional dominatrix to subsidize her writing career. As Mistress Ruby, this former Catholic school girl took confessions from some of the country's most powerful men. Within the sanctity of the dungeon, they revealed to her their darkest lusts, fears and frailties -- as well as their sincere desire to connect with the opposite sex. Each of these provocative essays provides an insider's view of human deviation; together, they present a startling portrait of our everyday selves. Mistress Ruby is a striking, candid, and humorous look behind the dungeon doors to a darker -- and often unexplored -- side of human nature.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812991540
• ISBN13: 9780812991543
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

My New Favorite Author

As a working Domme, I was thrilled to discover this book and this writer, Robin Shamburg. She (brilliantly) puts into words so many of the thoughts and feelings I have had about our profession, in a style that is smart, generous and funny as hell. Mistresses are often stereotyped as meanspirited man-haters (if you read other comments by so-called "dommes" you would see why this is so...ladies your jealousy is showing!) Instead Ms. Schamburg shows the "human" side of human deviation. Also, she is refreshingly honest about what it's like to be in your 20's trying to find your way in the world, while maintaining your integrity--something she has obviously managed to do! All of my friends (Dommes and non-Dommes) are crazy about this book...Mistress Ruby come and do a reading in SF real soon!

Seeing past the blindfold

Hilarious! Ms. Shamburg gives an outstanding look beyond the ropes and whips with incisive wit, and as a bonus throws in a slideshow of characters cleverly deconstructed to bring the reader in as well. I would never have expected to find myself thinking, "What a sweet, touching, and sad story" at the conclusion of a passage about an extensive session. Humorous and captivating, Ms. Ruby does indeed tie it all together.

Fascinating and hilarious

I picked up this book thinking it would be an insider's look at the s & m world and New York City. I learned a lot about this "scene" and the people in it, but it was so much more. Shamburg's unique insights on life, love, family and our culture in general were thought-provoking and even heartbreaking at times. But they were also laugh-out-loud funny. I have a feeling that this author will bring her grace and energy to any subject she decides to write about, and I can't wait to see what she does next!

Book Club Selection

This is one the funniest books I've ever read. Shamburg's world is outlandish, yet her insights into human nature and modern culture make it uncannily familiar and funny. She manages to resist trite analysis and give a humorous, touching and varied yarn. It's one of the most original books I've read in a while - this book is about S & M like The Catcher in the Rye is about college prep. You won't be able to put it down.

A must read -- an exciting and humorus romp

Shamburg takes you along an adventurous and engaging romp down an unusual path where wonders of all wonders -- you, the unsuspecting reader--begins to meet images of friends and neighbors including yourself coming and going. A real page turner.Could not put the book down.