Nothing Natural

Nothing Natural centers on Rachel Kee, a single mother in London grappling with depression and isolation stemming from a traumatic childhood. Her life changes when she meets Joshua, a magnetic stranger who draws her into an intense relationship. The narrative follows their encounters, which evolve into a complex arrangement where Joshua appears and disappears at will, maintaining control through physical dominance and emotional manipulation. Rachel must navigate her growing attachment to Joshua while managing her responsibilities as a mother and confronting doubts about his true nature. The story explores the intersection of past trauma, desire, and power dynamics through Rachel's personal journey and relationships. It examines how childhood experiences shape adult behavior and questions the boundaries between consent and coercion. Through its controversial subject matter, Nothing Natural presents a raw examination of sexuality, trauma, and the human need for connection. The novel challenges conventional narratives about relationships and poses questions about the nature of intimacy and control.

Readers note the book's unflinching portrayal of a BDSM relationship and its psychological complexity. Many commend Diski's direct writing style and exploration of consent, control, and power dynamics. What readers liked: - Raw, honest depiction of sexuality and relationships - Complex character development - Literary quality of the writing - Psychological depth What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some found the protagonist difficult to relate to - Several mention feeling uncomfortable with the subject matter Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) Review quotes: "Diski captures the internal conflict between desire and reason." - Goodreads reviewer "Not an easy read but a thought-provoking one." - Amazon reviewer "The prose is clean and sharp, even when describing difficult scenes." - LibraryThing review

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🔸 Jenny Diski wrote Nothing Natural while living in a psychiatric hospital, where she spent several months recovering from depression - an experience that deeply influenced the novel's portrayal of mental health. 🔸 The book's 1986 publication coincided with heated feminist debates about power dynamics in relationships, making it a significant contribution to discussions about consent and autonomy. 🔸 Several major bookstore chains initially refused to stock the novel due to its controversial content, leading to a wider debate about censorship in literature. 🔸 The novel's London setting draws from Diski's own experiences in Hackney during the 1980s, capturing the area's social and cultural transformation during that decade. 🔸 The author went on to write 18 more books and was a regular contributor to the London Review of Books for 25 years, though Nothing Natural remained her most controversial work.