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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
"By refusing to let sex remain hidden by forces of secrecy and mystery, we take the power back. Sex is no longer an abstract construct which we fear to touch, but something that is tangible, bodily, and felt. The way that sex was always meant to be."
James examines the history of sex and all the kinks that surround it, from fetishes to self-loving to describing just how queer history actually is. She delves into these topics with abandon and a lustful desire to know more and share that knowledge, and it's actually quite enlightening. If you've ever wondered what were some of the hidden kinks of famous people in history, she's here to illuminate that for you. As of the time of this writing, she's a PhD Candidate as she focuses on the aesthetic of the erotic across eighteenth-century literature, so you can trust that she's not just your average internet sleuth.
The book is framed in the form of a dinner party, with different courses representing the different topics she brings up. While I can see that it's meant to be entertaining and perhaps welcoming for some more prudish readers, I found it a tad unnecessary. Less dinner party and more factual information would have been better. James' writing is already inviting and easy to read, so there wasn't a need for the extra euphemisms that only prolonged the introduction.
Overall, a fascinating look at the history of sex. If you're so inclined, I would give this one a read.
James examines the history of sex and all the kinks that surround it, from fetishes to self-loving to describing just how queer history actually is. She delves into these topics with abandon and a lustful desire to know more and share that knowledge, and it's actually quite enlightening. If you've ever wondered what were some of the hidden kinks of famous people in history, she's here to illuminate that for you. As of the time of this writing, she's a PhD Candidate as she focuses on the aesthetic of the erotic across eighteenth-century literature, so you can trust that she's not just your average internet sleuth.
The book is framed in the form of a dinner party, with different courses representing the different topics she brings up. While I can see that it's meant to be entertaining and perhaps welcoming for some more prudish readers, I found it a tad unnecessary. Less dinner party and more factual information would have been better. James' writing is already inviting and easy to read, so there wasn't a need for the extra euphemisms that only prolonged the introduction.
Overall, a fascinating look at the history of sex. If you're so inclined, I would give this one a read.
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Excrement
Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, Religious bigotry
Minor: Biphobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
After following James’ Kinky History videos on Instagram, I knew I needed to read this book. She always presents the kinky facts from history in a fun and easy to understand manner. This book is just a longer version of that.
James uses a mixture of history, science, and personal anecdote to tell the history of kink. She uses a dinner party as a framing device to showcase various well-known people from history and their proclivities and dives further into the history of that kink. This was an extremely well researched book and James does a great job at presenting the information in a fun and easy to read manner. As she presents this history, she is also teaching us to be more tolerant of people’s sexual choices and learn to embrace our own sexuality.
Overall, this was a wonderful and fascinating look at the history of kink. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the history of kink because James really does a great job at presenting this information in an educated and celebratory way.