Max Ehrlich

Naked Beach

First published in 1979, first UK publication Panther paperback 1981.

The front cover of the paperback claims that this is "a novel of savage and scorching sensuality", while the back cover blurb states:"Resless, desirable and hungry for love, the four young Americans had come to the resort looking for excitement and sensation. Deep down each one sought some new experience to satisfy a hidden craving . . . . Then they found the Naked Beach, and when they shed their clothes, all their fears and inhibitions went too. Suddenly the golden sand became a naked beach of exquisite ecstasy and wild desire where nothing was forbidden and everything permitted . . . ."

Hmmm. While these descriptions are not totally false, they are at least misleading. There are passages and scenes which are clearly sexual and erotic. Alongside these are sensible descriptions and rational discussions of naturism and attitudes to it which are totally unarousing. This is the only Max Erhlich book I have read, so I cannot say which of these two is more representative. For my money, he's actually better when he takes things seriously. The sexy stuff has an air of being patched in, as if it's necessary to satisfy the publisher or to sell enough copies to cover the advance. There are other aspects of the book which seem formulaic - five-sixths through, a bizarre and fantastic climax is initiated, after which events and characters are fumbled to a rapid and (for me) unsatisfactory conclusion. In the service of the literary production line, several characters are kept firmly within their two-dimensional limits. Others are allowed just a single extra feature, such as (supposedly unexpected) homosexuality or sensitivity.

The story begins with two 30-ish American couples arriving at a quiet Yugoslavian village. Set on the Dalmatian coast, Vela Stiniva has been developed with hotels and campsites to cash in on the German tourist trade. The quartet of prosperous professionals have reached the mid-point of an extensive European tour. After a hectic fortnight working their way round Rome, Athens and other cultural hotspots, they plan a week of chilling out, recharging their batteries before checking off Venice and Paris from their must-see list.

Sadly, simple relaxation is beyond their talents. While they can't face signing up for a cultural day trip, neither are they happy just sitting around. Partly for this reason, they are intrigued by the flottila of little boats which sets off in various directions from the quay, and wonder why some have "FKK" painted on them. The locals have only mastered one foreign language - German - but a professional on holiday from Zagreb is multi-lingual, and enlightens them.

Thus the scene is set for an "introduction to nudism" story. Which would probably be boring. So a twist is necessary. This is easily provided. Although both couples are happily married, and their children are safely out of plot's way, being cared for by grandparents, both are afflicted with a version of the seven-year itch. As if this wasn't enough, while three of the four jump at the opportunity of seeing nudism for themselves, one of the women is adamant that she won't go.

A story about a nudist island where nobody gets naked wouldn't be much of a story, so readers should not be surprised that the confirmed textile is persuaded to change her mind. Although the arguments put to her stress the non-sexual nature of an FKK beach, it is made clear that at least part of the point is titillation. Even so, most of Ehrlich's descriptions of the nudists and their activities emphasise the absence of sexual stimulation or intention. I have picked out some of these for you to judge.

Perhaps, with a different brief, or a different attitude to the tastes of the reading public, Ehrlich could have crafted a worthwhile and interesting account of post-hippy-era naturism and its impact on newcomers. As it is, I can only damn it with faint praise.

Ratings:

Nudity	Naturist nudity	A good read?

Last updated 2003 November 23.
 
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