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A review by bookwormjimmy
Kinky History: A Rollicking Journey through Our Sexual Past, Present, and Future by Esmé Louise James
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
"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.