Buckle up, buttercup –we’re doing this.  This is happening.  This episode we cover “The Flame and the Flower”, Kathleen Woodiwiss’ 1972 steaming cesspit.  This is the face that launched a thousand sh!ts; the first bodice ripper.  And it is awful.  And we are furious at it. 

This book contains intense scenes of sexual assault (the worst kind, it thinks it’s a ravishment but believe me, it’s stone cold rape.)  It’s also got emotional abuse and some truly weird expressions of racism.  Also it’s boring.  Seriously, do not read it if you’re triggered by anything like that because this book is FULL OF IT and also terrible, so honestly don’t read it in general.  Just listen to us drip scorn on it, you’ll be better off.