CHROMA

Published by Hothouse

Reviewed by Paul Kane

What we have here is an attractive beast, or perhaps a parade of them: a book of erotic photographs with a swimwear apparel theme. There are 28 models represented - all sturdily muscular young men - and no more than 5 shots of each. In the first shot (or shots) the model wears trunks, a skimpy T-shirt, or is caped in a towel; in later shots he is stark bollocks naked. So we, as privileged viewers, are afforded an opportunity to 'see everything' (to use the Patrick Stewart parlance, as plied in Extras), and in particular are given the chance to see how each model measures up. Are the assets on show below the waist quite as brobdingnagian (a much underused word, this) as the biceps (etc.) above? While there are some disappointments, these are, you’ll be pleased to know, few in number. Perhaps the best-endowed here is a young man named Justin Gemini; his first name (the punch line to a well-known joke) is, one assumes, an unintentional irony.

There are a couple of niggling aspects to the book. Some of the model’s facial expressions are just a teensy-weensy bit farcical. As they manfully strain for that deadly, smouldering intensity it can look rather as though they are puzzling over a maths problem, poor dears, or wondering what to have for tea. Also, the photographer (or, who knows, photographers) is not credited, which is a pity. Yet this is to nitpick. If you like men with statuesque contours, their flesh tanned, oiled and occasionally ornamented with tattoos, you will enjoy this book very much.

Trunks is probably best seen as a bright, vibrant box of eye candy; and smooth hard candy at that, as intimated. And while its visual delights are not as sublimely erotic as, let’s say, the wondrous Sylvie Guillem performing Russell Maliphant’s ‘Two’, it is ideal for a few idle, wanton hours of dolce far niente. A word of warning, though: over-indulgence may rot your teeth!