Tyrant Books, 200 pages, paperback, $19.00

“*URGENT* PLEASE EMAIL XXXXXXXXX@XXXXX FOR THE ‘UNPRINTABLE PAGES’ FROM what purpose did i serve in your life, WHICH CAUSED THREE SEPARATE PRINTERS TO REFUSE TO PRODUCE THESE GALLEYS. THE ARC YOU HOLD IN YOUR HAND IS ONLY THE TEXT. A PDF OF THE CONTROVERSIAL COLLAGES THAT WILL BE IN THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BOOK WILL BE SWIFTLY EMAILED TO YOU FOR YOU TO INCLUDE IN YOUR REVIEW.”

The yellow sticker on the cover of my ARC of Marie Calloway’s what purpose did i serve in your life could easily be mistaken for a joke. It’s not. Calloway first made a lot of waves when her short story “Adrien Brody,” which is contained in this book, was published at Tao Lin’s Muumuu House. The story recounts a sexual encounter with a well-known New York City editor, and it had an impact on the blogosphere equivalent to what would happen if someone found a Bigfoot carcass tomorrow. Now, it seems like the images she wanted to include in her first book were too pornographic for three different printers, and the book was too much for Dr. Phil. The result? Just like the first time around: fame. While folks criticize Calloway, the book — which comes out on June 4, 2013 — is selling like crazy.

So, what’s on those “unprintable pages”? A few nude pictures, derisive online comments about the author, and some very sexual Facebook threads. Some of them are interesting and complement the stories because they’re directly related to what happens in the narrative. Did they deserve the censorship that came their way? No. In fact, that they became an issue at all is poppycock (see what I did there?), nothing but puritanical nonsense. Thankfully, the only result so far has been that the book has gone viral.

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the book. Calloway’s style is a mixture of unfiltered frankness, clarity, her collection of insecurities, hardcore sex, and affecting storytelling. There are no literary fireworks here, but she more than makes up for it with her rawness, honesty, and ability to seamlessly switch between dialogue and her feelings. Also, Calloway has a knack for remembering important details that makes her writing very enjoyable.

The stories/anecdotes/recollections in what purpose did i serve in your life are all packed with two very strong elements: human nature and sex. From Calloway’s experiences as a sex worker in London to her online interactions, meetings, and conversations, most of what she writes has to do with sex and her thought process before, during, and after every interaction. This last component is a highlight because it’s something Calloway shares fearlessly. Take, for example, a few lines from “sex work experience three”:

“I have to go along with this to get paid because I’m a whore… I’m getting off on being treated like this and I like it. I love it. I want to be treated as a worthless whore, I am a worthless whore. I feel so relieved. I don’t have to think or impress. I’m so tired of lying to myself and keeping up the illusion that I’m not a worthless .sex object when I am., I am, I so obviously am.”

So yes, this book is about sex. However, it’s also about insecurity, social anxiety, being awkward and knowing it, social media, female subjectivity, the effect of porn on society, art, writing, feminism, disillusionment, exploitation, and human communication. Those elements are what make what purpose did i serve in your life worth a read. Calloway is a smart writer bringing her own views on sex to the table in a valiant manner, and these stories are proof of that.

—

Gabino Iglesias is writer, journalist, and book reviewer living in Austin, TX. He’s the author of Gutmouth and a few other things no one will ever read. You can find him on Twitter at @Gabino_Iglesias.