The Triumph of Hope

The Triumph of Hope
Amelia May Kingston
Lulu Press
ISBN: 1-4116-7695-5
Adult Lifestyle Autobiography
Reviewed by Jasmina Vallombrosa

Described as a challenging and erotic autobiography, Amelia May Kingston takes us along the various changing perspectives of a disabled, middle-aged female psychotherapist and her BDSM exploits with fellow like-minded people. She draws you into her various stories and thoughts ranging from childhood memories through to maturity, ending in a fabulously free old age where she finally accepts herself for who and what she is.
While it is a valiant attempt by Ms. Kingston to keep the reader entertained by the ever continuing
descriptions of her inner thoughts, one can only get lost in all of the detail. Not only was it difficult
to follow and maintain concentration on the particular situation at hand, the overall flow of the book was confusing at times. Add this to non-stop philosophy and tangents on relationships, personal needs, and sexual deviancy, and one can conclude that it does not exactly make for a highly entertaining read.
Having said that, one can respect Ms. Kingston in her brutal honesty with her painful childhood memories and other unfortunate lifetime experiences. In her pursuit for a greater truth to her existence, she raises critical questions about human needs, sexual desires, and sexual practices. Therefore I would consider this book to be more of a critical self-reflection than piece of erotica fiction.