Exit to Eden
Encyclopedia
Exit to Eden is a novel
by Anne Rice
, initially published in 1985
under the pen name
Anne Rampling, but subsequently under Rice's name.
The novel explores the subject of BDSM
in romance novel
form. The novel also brought attention to Rice's published works that differed from the type of writing she was better known for (e.g. Interview with the Vampire
), such as her Sleeping Beauty
series under yet another pen name. Additionally, a film adaptation in 1994 differed greatly from the book, with a new major story line and several new characters added.
Each chapter in the novel is narrated in the first-person by either Lisa or Elliot; the narrator is announced at the head of each chapter.
called The Club that offers its high-end clients an exclusive setting in which they can experience the life of a Master or Mistress. Prospective sex slaves, paid at the end of their term at Eden (which varies from six months to two years), are presented at auctions by the most respected Trainers from across the world. As Head Female Trainer and co-founder Lisa gets first pick of the new slaves, and chooses Elliot Slater — with whom she shares an immediate and undeniable chemistry that intensifies throughout their time together, eventually resulting in love.
was produced by Savoy Pictures in 1994 starring Dana Delany
and Paul Mercurio
in the roles of Elliot and Lisa, but was heavily rewritten by the studio as a buddy-cop comedy, using new characters played by Dan Aykroyd
and Rosie O'Donnell
. The film was almost universally panned by critics and Rice publicly dissociated herself from the production.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Anne Rice
Anne Rice
Anne Rice is a best-selling Southern American author of metaphysical gothic fiction, Christian literature and erotica from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her books have sold nearly 100 million copies, making her one of the most widely read authors in modern history...
, initially published in 1985
1985 in literature
The year 1985 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Isaac Asimov - Robots and Empire*Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid's Tale*Jean M. Auel - The Mammoth Hunters*Iain Banks - Walking on Glass...
under the pen name
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
Anne Rampling, but subsequently under Rice's name.
The novel explores the subject of BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
in romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
form. The novel also brought attention to Rice's published works that differed from the type of writing she was better known for (e.g. Interview with the Vampire
Interview with the Vampire
Interview with the Vampire is a vampire novel by Anne Rice written in 1973 and published in 1976. It was the first novel to feature the enigmatic vampire Lestat, and was followed by several sequels, collectively known as The Vampire Chronicles...
), such as her Sleeping Beauty
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy is a series of three novels written by American author Anne Rice under the pseudonym of A. N. Roquelaure. The trilogy comprises The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty's Punishment and Beauty's Release, first published individually in 1983, 1984 and 1985 in the United...
series under yet another pen name. Additionally, a film adaptation in 1994 differed greatly from the book, with a new major story line and several new characters added.
Each chapter in the novel is narrated in the first-person by either Lisa or Elliot; the narrator is announced at the head of each chapter.
Plot summary
Lisa Kelly manages an isolated BDSM resortResort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
called The Club that offers its high-end clients an exclusive setting in which they can experience the life of a Master or Mistress. Prospective sex slaves, paid at the end of their term at Eden (which varies from six months to two years), are presented at auctions by the most respected Trainers from across the world. As Head Female Trainer and co-founder Lisa gets first pick of the new slaves, and chooses Elliot Slater — with whom she shares an immediate and undeniable chemistry that intensifies throughout their time together, eventually resulting in love.
Release details
- 1985, USA, Arbor House Pub (ISBN 0-87795-609-X), Pub date ? May 1985, hardback (First edition)
- 1988, USA, Time Warner Paperbacks (ISBN 0-7088-3000-5), Pub date 1 November 1988, paperback
- 1994, USA, Dell Publishing (ISBN 0-440-12392-5), Pub date ? October 1994, paperback (film tie-in edition)
- 1996, USA, Ballantine Books (ISBN 0-345-40196-4), Pub date ? February 1996, paperback
- 1998, USA, Severn House Publishers (ISBN 0-7278-5341-4), Pub date ? May 1998, hardback
Film adaptation
A film version, Exit To EdenExit To Eden (film)
Exit to Eden is a 1994 American comedy-thriller loosely based on the Anne Rice novel of the same name, directed by Garry Marshall and adapted to the screen by Deborah Amelon and Bob Brunner. The original music score was composed by Patrick Doyle....
was produced by Savoy Pictures in 1994 starring Dana Delany
Dana Delany
Dana Welles Delany is an American film, stage, and television actress, producer, host and health activist.After various roles in the early career, Delany garnered her first leading role in 1987 in the short-lived NBC sitcom Sweet Surrender and achieved wider fame in 1988–1991 as Colleen McMurphy...
and Paul Mercurio
Paul Mercurio
Paul Joseph Mercurio is an Australian actor, dancer and TV presenter. Mercurio is well-known for his lead role in Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom . His father was the character actor Gus Mercurio.- Biography :...
in the roles of Elliot and Lisa, but was heavily rewritten by the studio as a buddy-cop comedy, using new characters played by Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd
Daniel Edward "Dan" Aykroyd, CM is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.-Early...
and Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell
Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
. The film was almost universally panned by critics and Rice publicly dissociated herself from the production.