Mary Scott

Nudists May Be Encountered

The eponymous first story in the collection Nudists May Be Encountered, published in 1991 February 14 by Serpent's Tail, London (paperback).

Mary Scott's experience of journalism, politics and the civil service provide the background for several of the stories in this book. Concerns over clothing also feature in some, and the character in the lead tale could be considered to fit Adam Mars-Jones' character's definition of a textile: someone who doesn't exist except as a succession of costumes. When Julia encounters a naturist beach in Dorset, she could be considered to add nudity to such a succession. She certainly doesn't become a naturist, and this distinction between naturists and those who simply shed their clothes for particular purposes is nicely drawn.

I won't spoil the enjoyment of this neat little story by going into what happens when Julia's encounter with naturism develops into an encounter with a naturist.

In my view - which seems to be much the same as Malcolm Bradbury's opinions quoted on the back cover - while Mary Scott's writing is not outstanding, this is an enjoyable little book. I think many naturists could find her observations interesting and useful, but there is no need to regard reading the story as a chore - it's fun.

Ratings:

Nudity	Naturist nudity	A good read?

Last updated 2002 December 21.
 
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