''Exit to Eden'' is a 1985 novel by

Anne Rice Anne Rice (born Howard Allen Frances O'Brien; October 4, 1941 – December 11, 2021) was an American author of gothic fiction, erotic literature, and Christian literature. She was best known for her series of novels '' The Vampire Chronicles''. ...

, initially published under the pen name Anne Rampling, but subsequently under Rice's name. The novel explores the subject of

BDSM BDSM is a variety of often erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other related interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged ...

romance novel A romance novel or romantic novel generally refers to a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Pr ...

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'' is a gothic horror and vampire novel by American author Anne Rice, published in 1976. It was her debut novel. Based on a short story Rice wrote around 1968, the novel centers on vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac ...

''), such as her ''

Sleeping Beauty ''Sleeping Beauty'' (french: La belle au bois dormant, or ''The Beauty in the Sleeping Forest''; german: Dornröschen, or ''Little Briar Rose''), also titled in English as ''The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods'', is a fairy tale about a princess cu ...

'' series under yet another pen name.

Synopsis

Lisa Kelly manages an isolated BDSM resort named The Club, which offers high-end clients an exclusive setting in which they can experience the life of a

Master Master or masters may refer to: Ranks or titles * Ascended master, a term used in the Theosophical religious tradition to refer to spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans *Grandmaster (chess), National Master ...

or Mistress. Prospective

submissive Deference (also called submission or passivity) is the condition of submitting to the espoused, legitimate influence of one's superior or superiors. Deference implies a yielding or submitting to the judgment of a recognized superior, out of re ...

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 the first pick of the new slaves and chooses Elliot Slater—with whom she shares immediate and undeniable chemistry that intensifies throughout their time together, eventually resulting in love.

Film adaptation

The 1994 film adaptation was produced by Savoy Pictures, starring

Dana Delany Dana Welles Delany (born March 13, 1956) is an American actress. After appearing in small roles early in her career, Delany received her breakthrough role as Colleen McMurphy on the ABC television drama '' China Beach'' (1988–1991), for whic ...

and

Paul Mercurio Paul Joseph Mercurio (born 31 March 1963) is an Australian actor, dancer, TV presenter and politician. Mercurio is best known for his lead role in '' Strictly Ballroom'' 1992 and his role as a judge on TV series ''Dancing with the Stars''. H ...

in the roles of Lisa and Elliot. The plot was heavily rewritten by the studio, with new

buddy cop Buddy cop is a film and television genre with plots involving two people of very different and conflicting personalities who are forced to work together to solve a crime and/or defeat criminals, sometimes learning from each other in the process. ...

characters played by Dan Aykroyd and

Rosie O'Donnell Roseann O'Donnell (born March 21, 1962) is an American comedian, television producer, actress, author, and television personality. She began her comedy career as a teenager and received her breakthrough on the television series '' Star Search'' ...

. The film was panned by critics.

References

{{Anne Rice 1985 American novels BDSM literature American erotic novels American novels adapted into films Novels by Anne Rice Works published under a pseudonym Arbor House books American romance novels