I once read  Story of O on a crowded bus. It may have been a Wednesday, quarter to 9 in the morning, and I was cushioned by other heavily cloaked bodies all destined towards Liverpool St. Station. One hand wrapped tightly around a pole for balance while the other propped up the erotic novella. Its pages detailed O’s consent to a range of vicious sexual endeavours. The acts were astounding and revolting. The prose, clean and elegant.

Some may think it an odd choice to pass time on the bus. I thought, why not make an otherwise dull journey that much more strange and thrilling? 

More recently, I pocketed a copy of Baron for my morning commute. It is a new erotic paperback magazine “to be read in one hand.” Indeed, Baron found its place in my left hand as easily as Story of O had. 

The magazine says it is “for gentlemen and ladies who enjoy a cocktail, chit chatting about modern art, fine dressing and when the lights fade and the gin runs out, become connoisseurs at taking their companion to bed.”

Baron isn’t blatant and one-dimensional like a Playboy spread yet it is explicit in its intent to be pornographic, stylish, and arousing.

Its debut issue reveals work by the “finest perverts” like photographer Qiu Yang. His cover image attracts the wandering eyes of fellow passengers on route 26. 

Other pages are dressed in Agent Provacateur, M.A.C. lipstick or Raoul. Rubenesque females are wrapped tightly in printed bondage suits. Elsewhere, items of the mundane are objectified. 

No Love Lost, shot by Michael Grieve, features a couple of Roxannes of the evening. It is raw. The eczema on a man’s legs glows as red as the revealing top worn by the woman down on her knees. 

Meanwhile, Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce delivers a series of photos with his tongue pressed forcibly against his cheek. I wondered if Blue Murder offended the suit peering over my shoulders. 

Baron isn’t all for ogling. Essays and stories unfurl and arouse the mind. The Last Peepshow led me down Soho by the hand before shoving me into a booth. Prior to that, I studied how Playboy and Penthouse’s efforts in the 1970s climaxed into The Pubic Wars. The writing is intelligent and is as provoking as the neighbouring photographs.

Taking erotic literature along for a public journey can be a stirring excursion, and I’m delighted to add Baron to my, insofar, short reading list. No, I haven’t braved a lad’s mag out, but then again those don’t tickle my fancy… To each her own, as they say. 

Images provided by Baron. You can buy the erotic paperback magazine here. 

by Erika Soliven