Quiver: A Book of Erotic Tales

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“Taking in the panoply of sexual desire, each tale shudders with full-frontal detail in a style that is both lyrical and forensically accurate.”— Vogue

In twelve interconnected stories as naked and primal as passion itself, Quiver explores the full spectrum of human sexuality in all of its variety and complexity. Spare yet evocative, this explicit collection depicts the pleasures of new and rediscovered love, lust, and obsession. In the flashes that blur the line between fantasy and reality, each story captures the spontaneous erotic experiences of a small group of middle-class acquaintances, showcasing sexual interludes of kaleidoscopic range—heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, exhibitionistic, and sadomasochistic. Each of these stories, alternating between a woman’s point of view and a man’s, a participant’s and a voyeur’s, expresses a passion for youth, excitement for the new, and nostalgia for love lost. Sensual and provocative, Quiver introduces a fresh voice to the genre of erotica.

For fans of Anne Rice's (A.N. Roquelaure) Sleeping Beauty trilogy or Sylvia Day's Bared to You , Learner's writing will electrify readers with its every impulse.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1997

About the author

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Aka T.S. Learner

Tobsha Learner was born and raised in England; she now divides her time between Australia, the UK and the USA. She is well known in Australia as an author and playwright.

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 35 votes)
5 stars
14(40%)
4 stars
12(34%)
3 stars
9(26%)
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35 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
July 15,2025
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***ARC provided by Netgalley for a fair & unbiased review***


Although I have recently developed a deep affection for the writing of Tobsha Learner, this latest collection of erotic naughtiness failed to hold my attention. Don't misunderstand me; there are numerous erotic elements present. However, there is very little passion. The sex scenes came across as cold and rather matter-of-fact. Despite this, overall, this book was still decent. It had its moments, but it didn't quite reach the level that I had expected based on my previous experiences with Learner's work. I found myself skimming through some of the passages, which is not something I usually do when reading a book that truly engages me. I appreciate the effort that went into creating this compilation, but for me, it just didn't hit the mark.


Giving this one: 2.75 stars.
July 15,2025
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Ok, I didn't have an extreme reaction to it. I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. I'm more of a fan of Sharon Page, Noelle Mack, and Joey W. Hill. I prefer stories that are a bit more in-your-face, the kind that make your blood run hot. When I saw the cover of Quiver (I have the one with two beautiful naked women on it, one in water and one half out), it was very appealing!! So, of course, I decided to give this book a try. Well, as I said, I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. It was very matter-of-fact. Some of the stories had good story lines and could have been developed into full-length books quite nicely. However, others felt like I was reading a sex textbook. This was my first book by Tobsha Learner. Even though it wasn't my favorite book in the world, it was definitely good enough for me to give another one a try.

July 15,2025
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First published in 1998, Tobsha Learner’s Quiver has endured over the nearly twenty years since, attaining the status of a modern erotic classic.

This collection, comprising a dozen exquisitely crafted short stories, flawlessly encapsulates the notion that prior to narrating an outstanding tale about sex, one must first tell an extraordinary story about people.

It is the characters who truly render these stories unforgettable. Take, for instance, the frustrated artist in Man of Sighs, the disaffected porn star in Peel, and the publicly cuckolded symphony conductor with insomnia in Doubt – just to name a few.

The writing is resplendent, multi-layered, and at times disconcerting, yet almost always inspired and undoubtedly inspiring.

Learner's ability to create complex and engaging characters within the context of erotic narratives is a testament to her literary prowess.

Each story in Quiver invites readers to explore the depths of human desire, longing, and the often-tumultuous relationships that result.

Whether it's the emotional turmoil of the characters or the vivid descriptions of their encounters, Learner's prose draws readers in and keeps them captivated from beginning to end.

Overall, Quiver is a remarkable collection that offers both entertainment and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
July 15,2025
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It's not very well written and I found it hard to take most of the stories seriously. The language seems rather simplistic and lacks the depth and sophistication that would engage me on a deeper level. The plotlines also appear to be somewhat predictable, making it difficult to stay interested. Additionally, the characters are not well-developed, lacking in complexity and individuality. As a result, I struggle to form an emotional connection with them. While there may be some redeeming qualities, overall, the writing fails to capture my attention and hold my interest. It seems as though more effort could have been put into the writing process to create a more engaging and enjoyable piece.

July 15,2025
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ARC from NetGalley for honest review


1 Out of 5 STARS with a DNF label


Lawdy, where do I begin? Right from the start, I felt as if I was reading a report about the two characters. It was very cut and dry, lacking any emotion. Even the sex scenes were extremely... mechanical. It was like following a set of steps:


Step 1: Put hand here


Step 2: Now put it there


Step 3: Orgasm


Step 4: The next day


I understand that this is a collection of short stories and not a full-length book, so there would be very limited character development. However, some effort spent on humanizing these people would have been great. As it was, everything felt so robotic. Additionally, I have never been a fan of the "probed" terminology when discussing sex. At one point in a story, the female says she felt the clit of the girl behind her touch her back when it became erect. Uh, are you sure it was a girl? Because that's quite something.


I had high hopes for this collection, but sadly, it just didn't do it for me. **Giggle Snort** No pun intended.

July 15,2025
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How do you even review something like this? It's a real conundrum. Do you base it on Literary Merit (1 star) or Erotic Potential (3 to 4 stars)? I had high hopes that this would be a more intelligent take than the erotica being mass produced these days.



And in some ways, it is. Learner's erotic tales (of which there are twelve) are also strangely clinical. In an attempt to intellectualize sex, some of the sex scenes lack that certain je ne sais quoi that makes them truly sexy. It's all very matter-of-fact: he put his penis here, and she moaned, and they did that. The tales are most definitely not cookie-cutter, and I dare say the subject matter won't be to everyone's taste. We have a woman tied to a dentist's chair, a M/F/F/F scene involving popsicles, sex as revenge, and more.



Bottom line: There's some really strange stuff in here. But in a way, it's refreshing that this book doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's not masquerading as literature or even romance. It's just a collection of smutty short stories. And that's okay.



P.S. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a free galley of this book and broadening my reading horizons!
July 15,2025
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I found myself completely unable to finish this book in a proper manner. Instead, I resorted to skimming through large portions of it.


This book really should have had a subtitle like "Artsy people who are both insane and have a penchant for a lot of sex."


The characters within the story are nothing but strange, empty collections of extreme idiosyncrasies. The writing style is truly irritating. There are frequent faulty logistical details that, in my opinion, an editor should have easily caught. These details annoyed me to no end. For instance, the description of a character spreading her legs and then pulling off her jeans. What kind of ridiculously loose "elephant-pant" jeans could this person have been wearing?


Basically, I have no intention of picking up another work by Learner. The novel I read by her was equally disappointing to me, and this experience has left me with a rather negative impression of her writing.

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