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A review by lanikei
America Unzipped: In Search of Sex and Satisfaction by Brian Alexander
2.0
I was a little disappointed by the ending of this book. Most of the earlier chapters were fine. Interviews and observations about the sex of middle America, accounts of toy parties and working at an adult store. But it seemed that once Alexander got to the coasts and to kinkier 'more extreme' sex, he became judgmental and dismissive.
What bothered me was his implication that those into the BDSM and swinger scenes were doing it for shallow reasons, to just 'be risque' and not for the same reasons that others around the country were searching for their own sexual fulfillment. I can understand being a little exhausted and tired of hearing about everyone's sexual quirks by the end of the book, and I assume that affected some of his feelings about his later experiences.
Other than the ending chapters, I generally enjoyed the book. I wasn't surprised by the big reveals of 'people have sex everywhere! and use sex toys! even churchgoers and moms!', but I liked reading about environments that I'm not familiar with. The silent majority of people who are accepting of others and their sex lives is refreshing, so it's a little disappointing when the author seems less than open to some sexual experiences.
What bothered me was his implication that those into the BDSM and swinger scenes were doing it for shallow reasons, to just 'be risque' and not for the same reasons that others around the country were searching for their own sexual fulfillment. I can understand being a little exhausted and tired of hearing about everyone's sexual quirks by the end of the book, and I assume that affected some of his feelings about his later experiences.
Other than the ending chapters, I generally enjoyed the book. I wasn't surprised by the big reveals of 'people have sex everywhere! and use sex toys! even churchgoers and moms!', but I liked reading about environments that I'm not familiar with. The silent majority of people who are accepting of others and their sex lives is refreshing, so it's a little disappointing when the author seems less than open to some sexual experiences.