Legends of Lust: Erotic Myths from Around the World

Bardot’s debut takes mythical trysts and sexual encounters to the next level of detail in this tepid erotic collection. The individual stories are drawn from a broad range of cultures, beginning with Greek myths, which Western readers might find most familiar, in “Mistress of the Isle” and “By Sword Tip.” Bardot then touches on Indian mythology in “Under the Arjuna Tree,” Tibetan legend in “The Walk,” and Hopi mythology in “River Runner.” Alas, the blend of ancient tales and erotica fails to gel, with the stories often relying too heavily on familiarity with the source material to build emotional resonance. Similar unemotional, lewd encounters are distastefully dressed up with the trappings of various cultures and religions. The intended audience for this collection is unclear, and bland sexual encounters further minimize reader appeal. Agent: Carrie Pestritto, Prospect. (Jan.)