Pleasue

After reading most of Gabriele d’Annunizo’s book, Pleasure, I have become more familiar with the main character, Andrea Sperelli.  Art and Women are two of his greatest passions.  Andrea appears to be a lady’s man as is evident by his infatuation with one of his lovers, Elena.  In the first chapter, Andrea illustrates impatience while eagerly waiting for Elena.  After waiting a brief period of time he starts to worry she will not show resulting in a mini panic attack.  “She was not coming! And she was not coming!” (d’Annunizo 18).  In the following chapters, which are a flashback of their relationship, Andrea reveals an obsessive quality towards Elena.  In only their second encounter, Andrea confesses his love or Elena. He says, “I seem to have loved you for I don’t know how long.  The one, incessant thought of you, is now the life of my life” (72).  Andrea lays all his cards on the table in hopes Elena feels the same way about him.  Elena likes being chased and eventually succumbs to her desires for Andrea.

Andrea and Elena both desire each other for purposes of pleasure and pleasure alone.  I feel that they have confused love for lust.  “No; you did not love me, you do not love me!” (27). Having been dependent on her, he is now able to move on and realizes he no longer needs Elena in his life.  This results in the character development of Andrea. 

The use of flashbacks in this book keeps the reader intrigued. The flashback provides a lens into past events and helps develop these two characters.  Andrea seems desperate for love.  Although his relationship with Elena was not necessarily love, he is hopeful his encounter with Maria will be different.