On the cover of Beatriz M. Robles’ new book, A Sensual World: What Do You See?, is an image that appears as an innocent question.jpg)
mark — the contours of a woman’s torso or a complex blend of both. The black and white colors mark it like a Rorschach test to examine a person’s personality characteristics and emotional functioning.
The picture strongly suggests that the sensuality of a woman wafts from the pages of the book, a whiff of desire, a bouquet of wants. Made up of 80 irresistible vignettes, A Sensual World conjures erotic images only to be brought down to reality with a flip of the page as visualized by the author’s titled pastel drawings printed in grayscale.
Like metatalk that uncovers hidden meanings in what a person says, A Sensual World is like literary double-talk purposely invented so as to confuse, amuse or even titillate the reader. But it is treated as a vignette-and-answer game that serves as a check of the reader’s own understanding or misunderstanding.
There is definitely a sense of calculated mischief about these musings, explaining Robles’ ongoing fascination with the female psyche. Most girls have unexpressed thoughts with her friends while growing up and it seems Robles has not outlived hers.
Romantic to an outsider who is not privy to this understanding, Robles is engaged in the idea of secret desires. On a certain level, this can go far deeper than one can discover on one’s own. The vignettes are very personal, but can be easily shared by others.
Enchanting images systematically embellish the book, unraveling meanings or purposes. Women are definitely conversant with this kind of talk — iterations of self, no less than a Rorschach test in reverse.
The drawings gravitate toward the whimsical to the wild. This reviewer hopes these will not be spoilers, but who can miss Mouthful (“There, I make a sudden grab of your hot rod in front of me”), which is about brushing your teeth. Or Touching (“I let my lips meet the tip of your hole.”) about playing a clarinet.
The language is definitely double talk and the imagery so sensual that they lead the reader into a teasing game — only to be let down by its mundane subject. This turns the strategy into something that can become touching or tense-filled depending on involvement. Just go with the stream of consciousness for pure joy.
Between the global and the local, between genius and its virtue, or among a single secret and its infinite answers, A Sensual World is a naughtiness buster. You will see your quotient if you keep tabs on answers, but you have to self-indulge.
The book is pure literature and not ersatz science and your fun is in the overlap of the cusp. The advice is to read slowly, one vignette daily and not to preempt yourself. Then the book will give you approximately three months’ worth of mind massages. It’s really up to you how to maximize the reading pleasure.
This is Robles’ second volume after the inspirational book, Life through Letters: A Writer’s Journey from Sunrise to Sunset, also edited by Danton Remoto and published by Anvil Publishing.
Copies of A Sensual World: What Do You See? are now available at National Book Store and Powerbooks.
A NEW BEGINNING. Get a dose of Hannah Pauline Manaloto, L.A. Santos, Chad Angeles and Janina Gonzales’ youthful vibe, strong drive and immense talents as they perform live in a post-Valentine concert entitled, “One… A New Beginning,” on Feb. 20, 2016, Saturday, 7 p.m., at the Music Museum with guest Ms. Roselle Nava.
LA, 15, is a grade 9 student at the University of Sto. Tomas. He was a basketball junior varsity player but re-discover his love for music just recently. His first performance as a singer was at the Stylistics concert at Solaire Hotel and Casino, followed by a front act stint during Air Supply concert last March 2015, and as Guest Artist on Legendary Juke Box Queens, an Eva Eugenio, Imelda Papin and Claire de la Fuente starrer, last May 2015. LA just began playing the guitar and piano so he could write his own songs. He also performs with a group called, Winchester Street.
Chad, 19, is a student at DLSU College of St. Benilde. A trained singer, he started taking up formal voice lessons when he was 12 under Muzik Corner, owned by multi-awarded recording artist and former actress, Roselle Nava. His vocal training helped built an impressive portfolio that displays a long list of events and concert performances, and TV show guestings.
Janina, 21 is a singer-dancer who can even play the guitar for her performances. Her wide repertoire lists songs from Billy Joel to Sam Smith, Christina Perri, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, and even Pinoy alternative music scene favorite Up Dharma Down. Her biggest achievement so far is making it as one of the finalists of GMA’s singing talent search, Protégé (Season 1).
DECIDE TO BE HEART-HEALTHY. People are catching on to the idea that one must cut down on bad cholesterol at all costs. There is no more question to this as several government of different countries have already initiated, successfully banned and/or regulated the availability of bad fat from food sources. And the results have been amazing. Deaths due to heart-related diseases have significantly been reduced.
Don’t wait for this to happen here. The decision to be heart healthy can be made for us. But it is our responsibility to make it a personal decision. Inform yourselves on how to remove bad cholesterol from your diet and get assistance from ATC Garlic Oil.
ATC Garlic Oil helps prevent hypertension and heart disease by regulating cholesterol levels and blood pressure in the body. This also stops blood clot from forming and effectively lowers the blood pressure and reduces the risks of stroke and heart attack. ATC Garlic Oil also contains soybean oil, which provides essential nutrients such as protein, fiber and healthy fats while offering protection against heart disease.
ATC Garlic Oil is recommended to be taken one capsule every day. It is available at Mercury Drug and leading drugstores nationwide at P4.50 per piece.