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ecolite99 's review for:
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
by Mary Roach
I come to you today with another review of a book I probably shouldn’t have been listening to at work. Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex is one of the least arousing books I’ve ever read, and has made me completely immune to all sexual terminology. I feel powerful.
This book is of course very interesting from a biological and psychological perspective. I learned more than I ever desired about my own physiology, as well as the history of sex research. I’ve gained a much stronger appreciation for Alfred Kinsey’s contributions to the queer community. And also: Leonardo Da Vinci asexual legend?!?!
I was pleasantly surprised by how inclusive this book is of queer identities. Roach details quite a few studies on gay and lesbian sexual practices. One such passage includes the phrase “The heterosexuals are at a disadvantage,” which is iconic and made me cackle. Discussion of bisexuality (or “ambisexuality,” as one study called it) is sprinkled throughout the book. Despite all the discussions of anatomy, however, this book is not inclusive of intersex individuals, which I was quite surprised about. Representation of transgender identities is also sorely absent, but I guess that would be asking too much of a book published in 2008.
This is book is incredibly sex-positive, however, and is enthusiastically in favor of people exploring and learning more about their own bodies and sexuality. This is demonstrated by Mary Roach’s willingness to participate in several sex studies herself, and her efforts to destigmatize communication about sex. Not that sex has become any easier for me personally to talk about, but I do feel more empowered for having read this book.
This book is of course very interesting from a biological and psychological perspective. I learned more than I ever desired about my own physiology, as well as the history of sex research. I’ve gained a much stronger appreciation for Alfred Kinsey’s contributions to the queer community. And also: Leonardo Da Vinci asexual legend?!?!
I was pleasantly surprised by how inclusive this book is of queer identities. Roach details quite a few studies on gay and lesbian sexual practices. One such passage includes the phrase “The heterosexuals are at a disadvantage,” which is iconic and made me cackle. Discussion of bisexuality (or “ambisexuality,” as one study called it) is sprinkled throughout the book. Despite all the discussions of anatomy, however, this book is not inclusive of intersex individuals, which I was quite surprised about. Representation of transgender identities is also sorely absent, but I guess that would be asking too much of a book published in 2008.
This is book is incredibly sex-positive, however, and is enthusiastically in favor of people exploring and learning more about their own bodies and sexuality. This is demonstrated by Mary Roach’s willingness to participate in several sex studies herself, and her efforts to destigmatize communication about sex. Not that sex has become any easier for me personally to talk about, but I do feel more empowered for having read this book.