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Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex

by Ellen Sussman

Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A playful take on bedroom talka smart, funny encyclopedia with entries written by notable contemporary writers.

This witty reference steps in where time-honored discussions of the birds and the bees typically fall short. All of the 100-some entries are formally defined and further explained through reflective and ribald definitions, essays, and stories by some of todays most exciting writers. Everything from celibacy to promiscuity, hand jobs to sex toys is tackled by everyones favorite writers including Steve Almond, Patricia Marx, Phillip Lopate, and Antonya Nelson. From sexual relationships (monogamy, one-night stand, ménage à trois) to sexual positions (doggie style, 69), from age-old practices (prostitution) to contemporary twists (cybersex), this alphabetical encyclopedia includes everything you need to know about the language of love and more.

Review:

"Author Sussman compiled this quasi-reference book as a corrective for not getting the 'facts of life' talk that her brother received. The result is an often riveting, and occasionally shocking, essay collection that does much more than define 94 sex-related terms. With close to 100 writers (including Thomas Beller, Antonya Nelson, Pagan Kennedy, Jonathan Ames and poet Stephen Dunn), there's a huge range of styles and sensibilities. The pseudonymous writer tackling 'adultery' admits to cheating on his girlfriend with his wife: 'six months in and who's to tell whom you're horny for anymore?' Meredith Maran's essay on 'bisexuality' has a surprise ending for all involved: Maran reveals her bisexuality to her husband at the very moment she first recognizes it herself. Some essays are romantic; Victoria Redel's impressionistic entry for kissing begins with the delicious line, 'The first surprise of your mouth and mine.' Some are goofy-Bret Anthony Johnston revives the old what's-your-porn-star-name parlor game-and some are actually fiction-like Lucy Ferriss's brief one-act play script, 'Mile High Club'-but most are surprisingly straightforward and entirely unconcerned with shock value, even regarding the terms too dirty to print here." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

About the Author

Ellen Sussman is the bestselling author of On a Night Like This and editor of the anthology Bad Girls. She lives in Los Altos Hills, California.

Product Details

ISBN:
9781596914742
Subtitle:
A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex
Author:
Sussman, Ellen
Publisher:
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Subject:
General Reference
Subject:
General
Subject:
Sex
Subject:
Humor
Subject:
American - General
Subject:
Sexuality
Subject:
Dictionaries - Idioms & Slang
Subject:
Slang
Subject:
Sex - Slang
Edition Description:
Trade Cloth
Publication Date:
June 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
291
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.50 in

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