A review by nananavillera
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana by Richard Francis Burton

3.0

I hadn't exactly intended on reading this, but it was sheer curiosity that encouraged me forward. This book is kind of infamous in Indian pop-culture which makes it out to be some raunchy pornographic manual, but that's a grossly ingenuous description. This book has theological and philosophical merit, makes arguments against the notions of caste, and explores cultural phenomenas of sexuality, relationships and love. I thought the concepts of purusharthas, the four tenets for a fulfilling life in Hinduism, were well-woven into the exploration of sexual and emotional human relationships and desire. Also, surprisingly, there were chapters on queer sexuality/gender-identity, written without scorn or pejoratives. I did, however, have to look past a lot of misogyny and encouraged sexual inequality between men and women. I wouldn't model your life after this text or anything, but it is definitely a worthy historical read.