The novel begins with the premise of the author having been approached by a stranger who requests the writer to tell the story of a dying man. Although reluctant at first, the writer - and the reader - is intrigued by the dying man's story.
The dying man claims that he is literally turning to gold, a miracle that follows the initial one of his transformation from man to woman.
In addition to these fantastical metamorphoses, the dying man has the gift to transport others into the realm of sublime love and ecstasy, merely by touch or via sex (a blessing reminiscent of Pasolini's Teorema).
These developments are, paradoxically, only one end of the spectrum of incredible events recounted here. At the other end lie sordid and disturbing developments that befall the protagonist.

Sutherland succeeds in maintaining a balance between the realistic narrative and the mythological references. It's a very contemporary story and brutally explicit at times.
At the novel's end the pace of the narrative becomes rushed, the plot takes on too many sharp turns, and the reader is left stranded with questions that remain unresolved. I'm not sure whether Venus is, in the end, a martyr, a saint, or a sinner.

The novel was also adapted into a theatrical production.

If you are new to BookCrossing and found this book and this site, Welcome! - You have in your hands a free gift. This book is yours to do with as you wish...read it, share it, keep it, pass it on!
- I've registered this at BookCrossing.com so that I can keep up on where it goes, who reads it, and what they thought of it. I'd love to see an entry letting me know it is safe with you.
- To get started, just enter the book's BCID number (you'll find it inside the book) at the BCID field (top left of this webpage) and press Go!
- If you like the BookCrossing concept, you might want to register yourself with a screen name. (but you can remain anonymous also and still journal this book), so that you can follow this book as it travels, and maybe release other books. It’s all confidential (you’re known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), fascinating, and fun!
- Thank you for picking up this book. Do with it as you please... read it, give it to a friend, keep it, release it in the wild - it's up to you.
Enjoy!

Book Ray
Please PM if you are interested, and include
a) Your location
b) Where you are willing to post the book after you read it (international, or only within N. America / Asia / Australia / Europe, etc.)

BookRay participants :
- ChrissyHam (in the Netherlands - prefers E.U. postage)
- Lizzy-stardust (in U.K. - prefers U.K. postage, will do intl. if needed)
- last person is free to do as they wish with the book

~ ~ ~ ~ > Please make a journal entry when you receive the book.
~ ~ ~ ~ > Please read and pass on the book within two months of receipt. If you can't do this for any reason, please PM me to let me know.
~ ~ ~ ~ > When you are done reading, contact the next reader via PM for their address. Also make another journal entry (or edit your first one) to share your comments about the book.
Thanks everyone! I hope you enjoy this.

The book is traveling by post to ChrissyHam in the Netherlands. Enjoy!

This book came through the post today - many thanks to okyrhoe for starting the ray and sending it! Also for the little gifts.

I've got a big to be read pile building up at the minute, but will get to it asap, as it's a small book it shouldn't take too long to read.

Thanks again.

A lovely little book, very short and a slightly strange story, but utterly beautifully written. I loved the short sparse style of prose, it felt like there were no wasted words. I would love to write like this. I will definately buy a copy of this book to keep. Thanks so much for sharing. It was a genuine pleasure to read.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent off in the post to the next reader. Happy reading.

received in today's post. will read after I finish my current book.

I agree that the prose of this book was beautifully written, and must admit that the lovely prose was the only thing that kept me reading this all the way to the end. With the exception of Finola and her mother, I found each and every character completely unlikeable and unspympathetic, especially the narrator, as we could see what was going on in his mind and he still insisted on making the wrong choices. Because the writing was so magnificent though, I kept reading untiul I finished, so it wasn't a complete waste of my time.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

released this against a statue. Hope someone finds it and likes it!