Saturday 10 August 2013

Tampa by Alissa Nutting


Tampa is certainly a controversial book.  New English teacher Celeste Price is young, attractive and married to a rich and handsome man.  But her life is consumed by her desire to have sex with fourteen year old boys.  Every single decision she makes is designed to bring this closer to reality; she accepts a run-down classroom because it has a lockable door, she drugs her husband because the idea of sex with him repulses her and she spends a small fortune on anti-ageing treatments that she doesn't need in order to look as young as possible.  When the first term of the academic year begins, Celeste begins to search for a teenage boy that fits her criteria, so that her years of preparation will not have been in vain.

I wasn't expecting to, but I found Tampa to be a disturbing book.  It's narrated in the first person and takes you right inside the head of Celeste, which isn't a happy place to be.  Her whole life is based on sex and the possibility of sex with teenage boys, literally every single decision she makes comes down to this.  Her sexual fantasies and later experiences are related in detail in a graphic way.  It wasn't this detail about sex that bothered me, more how all-encompassing, intense and yet clinical it was, and how disturbing some of her fantasies were (and not just because they were about teenage boys, even if it was about men this book would be disturbing).  Nutting isn't pulling any punches in Tampa and you can tell that from the cover alone.  She picks you up, drops you in Celeste's head and although it's a fascinating, authentic and excellent character study, it leaves you feeling grimy afterwards, like you need to wash out your brain.  There is a lot of sex in this book, but there is absolutely nothing sexy about it. I admire what Nutting has done in creating the character of Celeste and shining a spotlight on female sex offenders, but Tampa isn't a book that you can enjoy reading.

What I most appreciated about Tampa was the way it highlights the sexual double standard in society when it comes to cases of this kind.  When Celeste is eventually caught and taken to trial, her crime isn't taken seriously by some of the commentators, because doesn't every 'hot blooded' teenage male want to bed an attractive teacher?  This double standard is everywhere and it really bothers me.  Her defence lawyer even argues that Celeste is too beautiful to go to prison, as she would be in danger of being raped by other inmates.  No one would ever make this argument to defend a male sex offender! So although Tampa is difficult to read and extremely graphic, it definitely shines a light on the way we think of male and female sex offenders as a society, and that alone makes it worth reading.

As Tampa is basically an in-depth character study of a female psychopath, the secondary characters aren't developed properly and there's no real character development for Celeste herself.  This began to bother me in the latter half of the novel, as I would loved to have found out what Celeste's husband and victims were really feeling, but we only get to see them through Celeste's distorted eyes.  Celeste really has no empathy for the boys she abuses and even when some disturbing things (aside from her abuse) happen in the later stages of the book, she's unable to show any remorse or think about anything apart from her sex drive.  This gets wearying for the reader by the end of the novel.

This is one of the longest reviews I've written in a while because if nothing else, Tampa is a book that you will have opinions about.  I am of the opinion that the graphic nature of the novel is needed in order to really shine a light on female sexual predators and the double standard our society has towards them.  I didn't enjoy reading it, but I thought it was an excellent character study and Nutting certainly is capable of putting you in Celeste's head.

Source: From the publisher, via Netgalley
Published: July 2013
Score: 4 out of 5

24 comments:

  1. I know I'd be really uncomfortable reading this so I'll be passing on it. It is interesting to see the double standard explored though.

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    1. I can understand why people wouldn't want to read it, it's a book designed to make you uncomfortable.

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  2. I felt very much the same, but you point out something I hadn't thought about: It's so true that while Celeste's sex obsession is horrific because it focuses on boys, it would still be disturbing if she behaved that way toward men.

    The UK cover is just SO much better than the US version. I can't help but be annoyed thinking that if we had that one here, bookstores would be asked to cover it up because of how prudish people are.

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    1. It was especially uncomfortable reading as a teacher, wasn't it?
      I love the UK cover, it's so provocative and fits the content perfectly.

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  3. This is the first I've heard of Tampa. It does sound very disturbing, and (let's be realistic) probably not something I could handle reading. I am very glad, though, that literature of this nature is out there and that societal double-standards are being increasingly identified and examined. Maybe this is the kind of book I need to/should read and tell other people about to help increase awareness. I don't know. Regardless, thank you for your insightful review.

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    1. I agree with you, it's very important that double standards like this get explored, although it doesn't make for pleasant reading.

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  4. Loved reading your thoughts on this one. I've heard many mention this book but yours is the first review I'm reading. I can see that I will definitely want to read this, simply because of how many reactions it can raise in me - not sure I like the contents but you've definitely intrigued me.

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    1. It is definitely a book that will make you react. I'd be interested to read your thoughts on it if you do pick it up.

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  5. I've not seen this one before. I have no desire to read this, but I really enjoyed your thoughtful review. Thanks!

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  6. I've been interested in how this book is received, though I am going to pass on it myself. It sounds a little bit too disturbing for me. The female sexual predator is an interesting perspective and the cover is definitely provocative.

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    1. It is very disturbing, at least the cover matches the content!

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  7. What a wonderful review Sam! This book knocked me sideways...whew.

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    1. Knocked you sideways is a good way of putting it!

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  8. Great review and probably very close to what I would think of the book if I read it. I'm just wondering - because I just finished the biography of a sociopath (or psychopath, your choice) - if Celeste is really diagonosed as one or if it is your opinion. No judging, just curious :)

    And on a last note, I think this book is and will be more famous for being controversial than for being "good". Also, the light it throws on adult-female+teenge-male relationships will be very useful in highlighting double standards as you point out.

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    1. The author refers to Celeste as a psychopath, which is why I used that term in my review. I have to admit I don't know enough about it to say whether she really would be or not...

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  9. Have been following the buzz on this book with some interest - read and really liked an earlier short story collection of hers (Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls) and she's an excellent and quite daring writer - though, reinforced by the issues you've highlighted here, confess to being hesitant on this one. Still, knowing her talent, am a bit curious to read firsthand.

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  10. This is the second review of this book that I've read, and I'm quite sure it's not something I could read. I recognize the value of the book, but I just wouldn't want to suffer through the reading of it.

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  11. These are the type of books I end up loving; while not enjoyable to read they leave you with so much to say and think about. Great review.

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  12. Great review. I'm still trying to decide whether to read this book.I usually like to read anything that creates controversy but I suspect this one pushes the boundary for me (which I know is the point but...)

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  13. This is the first I'm hearing about this book. It doesn't sound like its up my alley, but I'll point some of my teacher friends to your review.

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  14. Sooo scared to read this one but also curious about the "other side" re: a woman's perspective in a book like this.

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  15. There are a lot of things about this book (that I've judged from reviews like yours) that I'd enjoy...or maybe enjoy is the wrong word! Things that I'd appreciate in a book, primarily the whole "women aren't sexual offenders because they're pretty and soft" double standard, but your review reminded me of my experience after watching Mysterious Skin. An amazing film, but holy crap I felt awful afterwards.

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  16. Extremely well written. The level of sex scenes depicted mean wouldn't recommend anyone below 16 reading this book and anyone opposed to sexuality akin to a written porno to steer clear.
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