Reviewed: - (Review Updated: )
This, as they say, is where it all began . . .
I'll be honest, if you'd directed me to read this story, then later told me it had spawned a storiesonline "universe" that, as of this writing, clocks in at 78 stories by more than 50 authors . . . I wouldn't have believed it. But on further thought, I'd have admitted that the concept allows for some interesting story-telling, from a variety of different perspectives, with likely more successful results than the original.
The world in which "Karen Naked in School" exists is one in which society has re-examined its attitude toward female nudity, but the timing is such that, although legally allowed to appear naked in public, women aren't yet comfortable with the idea. But it all starts with the children, right? So new school programs include the selection of a number of women each week to spend the school day in the nude, encouraged to have a good attitude about accepting the gawking and explorations of the rest of the student body.
"Karen" follows the week that the protagonist -- named, like the author, Karen Wagner -- must undertake the program, and, frankly, she's kind of a one-note performer. This story isn't really so much about sex itself as sexual embarrassment, and Karen's reaction to every request is to go along with it and blush. It's less a real story than a series of scenes, and ends just as abruptly as it begins.
But it would be unfair to be too critical, because Ms. Wagner, the author, has done something that writers of far better stories haven't accomplished: creating a concept that so many other authors want to use. I admit, I haven't read any of them yet, preferring to start with the original story, but I can imagine what the NIS concept could be in the hands of authors the likes of Don Lockwood and Rachael Ross.
Ms. Wagner's writing is clean and an easy read, and the stroke value depends on whether or not this kind of humiliation is your thing. But for paving the way for this site's most productive universe, she certainly deserves top marks for plot.