Sex and Satisfaction (Xcite Selections) (Xcite Selections)

Advantages: A real insight into an interesting figure
Disadvantages: Reed can be quite pretentious sometimes

..."Lipstick, Sex, and Poetry" is billed rather threateningly as the "first autobiography" by the bisexual poet and novelist Jeremy Reed. In fact Reed seems to have a selective memory and the book consists almost entirely of memories and thoughts about sex separated by highly metaphysical speculation on the nature of poetry. Reed's androgynous looks and use of make-up tended to get him into trouble with irate motorists, but it had its positive side: "I was once lying almost naked on a mauve towel on a deserted beach. My eyes were closed but I could sense someone encroaching. Without speaking a word, a girl screened by masses of black curls began..." What she actually began to do isn't really printable in a family site, but Reed helpfully adds "Things like that happen all the time when you are an androgyne." So that's how it's done... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Some great quirky, wry and innovative writing. A delightfully skewed sense of humour
Disadvantages: The central character isn't terribly captivating, a poor ending

...in Japan. She also likes to travel, although doesn't leave her house if she can help it. This curious paradox is overcome with the help of her trusty travel agent, who, for an outrageous fee, decorates the spare flat below Oceane suitably, arranges for the evening's chosen country's cuisine to be served and invites a selection of that land's natives as dinner guests. Via Satellite and the Internet Oceane is able to immerse herself in the relevant culture to her satisfaction, learn some vocabulary and top it all off when she visits the "country" downstairs. We are taken on something of a meandering journey through our protaganist's eccentric world, who gives us an insight into her dissatisfaction with modern London and its people. The freelance nature of her work means she is never forced to leave the house - all of life's necessities can... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: readable, entertaining, informative
Disadvantages: at times too much info about monkeys having sex

...is static, but infact there is plenty going on behind the scenes. The Red Queen is just one of a series of fascinating theories covered by Ridley. He takes us through notions of sex as a means of escaping parasites, discusses Tangled Bank and Lock and Key hypotheses among many others. The ineffectual nature of males is a particularly good subject. Apparently the male is a parasite on the female, and one of nature’s greatest mistakes. Hehe. Also very interesting is his chapter on polygamy and monogamy. Apparently you can tell whether a species is one or the other by the size of the males’ testicles in relation to their body size…. I leave it to you to read the book and find out where humans fit on the scale. The main focus of the book is sexual selection as an evolutionary pathway, shaping human characteristics and gender or racial differences... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful