The Vine: April 19, 2013
I have started composing this question several times, but have always left off for fear of looking like a deviant. But this book is still bugging me, so I decided to finally give it a go.
Sometime in my junior or senior year of high school (’93-’94) I came across a book in my school library. The book had a mustard-colored binding, and beneath the title was an outline of a man and a woman. It was science fiction, set in some sort of dystopian future, and pretty much all I remember about it was the sex. If I recall, the entire society was highly sexualized, but reproduction was illegal. Everyone wore “pleasure packs” that did…well…exactly what you would think they did.
The main character had disconnected the wires on his and people he knew always gave him crap for it. They used to give him crap for not having sex regularly too, but he didn’t care for the way it was done. People couldn’t just have sex, there was some sort of gel-bag that had to be between them. The main character meets a woman, they have sex without the bag thing, she gets pregnant and they have to run away because everyone would know they broke the law.
I never finished it, and it’s been bugging me for ages. I know it sounds like the plot of a bad sci-fi adult film, but I figure it must have some redeeming qualities or it wouldn’t have been in the school library.
Sincerely,
Really Not A Deviant
*****
A question for the readers — I am looking for collared shirts to go under a required-for-work blazer. The catch is that I want collared shirts that are made of extremely soft material — basically a knit-/t-shirt-type material rather than anything traditionally used for suits or business attire. Color is not a major issue nor is sleeve length. Buttons of some nature down the front would be nice but are not particularly necessary.
I have two shirts that I currently love — one from J Crew and one from the Gap — but I am having trouble finding anything recent from either one, particularly online which is how I normally shop. A similar price point would be ideal but I could definitely go more expensive for the right shirt. Despite this being for work, the more slouchy, comfortable, and soft the better; the only work requirement is that the shirt technically have a collar on it.
Help?
Thanks!
Amy
Tags: Ask The Readers popcult retail
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=27467398&parentid=W_TOPS
If you don’t mind a peplum waist.
http://theme.aarcadethemes.com/preview/uptown/03/product-sparkle-fade-tipped-collar-long-sleeved-knit-shirt.html
If you don’t mind the collars being tipped with metal.
Rnad–I think the book you are looking for is Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World. I had to read it for my senior English class.
Will a polo-type shirt work? If so, Googling for “jersey-knit polo” should do the trick.
The book has some similarities to Brave New World, but isn’t (just finished teaching it to my 11th graders). I know I’ve heard of it but can’t come up with a title.
Jana: That sounds a lot like “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. I don’t remember the entire plot, but I know that outlawed reproduction and sexual behavior are part of it. It’s the type of book you might read at the same time as “1984.”
I’ve had some good polos from Old Navy. I don’t know if they make a collared version of their perfect fit tees, but you should check. Very comfy, great fit. Soft, thin material.
Wait, THAT’s what Brave New World is about?! Why have I been avoiding it all these years, then? That sounds awesome.
Brave New World IS an awesome book (IMHO), but despite some similarities, it doesn’t sound like the one Not A Deviant is looking for. No “pleasure packs,” no gel bags, and no pregnant couples running away together that I can recall…
It’s not Brave New World. It sounds vaguely like Handmaiden’s Tale, at least the part about running away because she is pregnant. I don’t remember gel packs though.
Curiosity and Google led me to “After the Good War,” by Peter Breggin. I swear, I’m not a deviant either, but after spending my formative years reading Robert Heinlein, I *had* to know more about this book (and how I managed to miss it).
Description/review here:
http://glorioustrash.blogspot.com/2010/10/after-good-war.html
Not much info on Amazon, but the cover looks similar to what Not A Deviant described:
http://www.amazon.com/After-Good-War-Love-Story/dp/0812814924
A couple summers ago I bought about seven basic knit polos from Target, their Mossimo brand. Literally just the most basic knit top, but they had collars and buttons down the front, tons of colors, very comfy.
Also, I don’t think the book being described is Brave New World. I read it ages ago, but I think I would remember “pleasure packs.” Also, in BNW, didn’t they get pleasure from pills or pharmaceuticals of some kind?
Letter writer here. Robin in Philly, you are my new favorite. That’s totally the book! Your google-fu must be better than mine. I knew it wasn’t Brave New World, but that’s where Google kept pushing me. Thanks!
For Amy –
I think Lands’ End might be your friend. In addition to standard long-sleeved interlock polos, they have some very soft and slouchy options:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-34-sleeve-drapey-knit-button-front-shirt~242253_59.html
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-long-sleeve-printed-drape-notch-henley-top~246188_59.html
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-34-sleeve-lightweight-cotton-modal-johnny-collar-tunic~248757_59.html
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-34-sleeve-stretch-woven-johnny-collar-shirt~161275_59.html
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-long-sleeve-peter-pan-top-~194262_-1.html
http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-long-sleeve-knit-peter-pan-ruffle-front-polo-shirt~223171_-1.html
L.L. Bean has a couple that might fit the bill. Also various polos, in case you want more sleeve-length options.
You’re welcome, Really Not!
(PS – it was adding “pleasure packs” to the search that did it! You really don’t want to know what some of the other hits were…)
Just reading the link from Robin in Philly makes me wonder what kind of school you went to!
If you go Land’s End, “like” them on Facebook or get on their email list. They often send out great sales notices with free shipping. Also, if you get a Sears “Shop Your Rewards” card you get points that turn into money to spend on later purchases (and you can keep track in your login at the website, so it reminds you when you have dollars to spend).
I find their cotton clothing is very soft and durable. There are 3 shapes–from body huggng to moderate to loosely fitting–so you can find what works for you, but the dark colors can be not too colorfast. And their knitwear is sized differently in some ways. Be sure if you are getting a S, M, or L that the letter corresponds with the correct number sizes…for example most brands have 12-14 as an L but LE has a 14-16 as an L. So you may be down one from what you usually wear.
I am so, so glad this book got found. You’ve made my day :) (not the author or anything, it just really cheers me up that something so seemingly random can be found from the depths of the internet so quickly!)
J. Jill is both a little spendier and a little dressier than the Gap, but might have some knit collar top options, like this one:
http://tinyurl.com/c6dkdzt