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What if there was a book which looked like a cross between a coloring
book and hip coffeehouse paintings, and read like both a talk
with your best friend and postmodern fairy tale? What if each
page was a complete work of art and a joyride that supplied an
entertaining, thorough and user-friendly tour of... your clitoris?
Look: I talk about sexual anatomy ALL day every day, to teenagers and adults. While I still think human sexuality is a fascinating and wonderful thing, all the exposition I do and am immersed in with it can tend to make it a tired, tired subject. More times than not, I decline to review books in this field because I'm simply unable to drum up the cheer to review properly with so much similar material on such a familiar subject. I am one hell of a tough customer. One who was sold on this book within the first few pages. There's a lot of how-to sex books out there lately, and a lot of mainstream focus on female genitals and women's sexuality right now. But I feel confident saying that there isn't anything out there that approaches this topic in the way that Salmansohn, and the magnificently talented illustrator Trisha Krauss, do in The Clitourist. What I find in a lot of the other material I see these days when it comes to sexual anatomy and women's sexuality is one of the following: either an overly clinical and completely dry approach, a salacious, woo-woo, hey-baby-let's-get-in-on sort of dealie, or the endless politicization and issue-laden address of something that shouldn't be so damn heavy all the time. When we're talking about our sexuality, we should not be bored to tears. We should not feel as if we have to be sold with bells and whistles on enjoying and understanding our own genitals. And we certainly should not feel we have to analyze the symbolism of our genitals in conjunction with feminist issues to the point that we can't even jill off anymore without quoting Angela Davis when we orgasm. Someone out there should be able to enlighten and entertain on the topic without those typical pitfalls, and that's exactly what has been managed magnificently in this book. I like a little whimsy with my sex; a little imagination, some frivolity and fun. So, I want the same thing in some of my sex books. The Clitourist has it in spades: its colorful, fresh and delightful design pulls your eyes in, and its friendly, clear and playful text reels your mind -- and locales further south -- in right behind it. It offers a little bit for everyone -- I'd be surprised if even the most sex-savvy chick didn't find a thing or two in here that wasn't known to her previously. This tourists guide you won't find at Fodor's offers up everything from a concise history of medical clitoral discovery (Do you know who Kermit Krantz was? I didn't.) to a reminder of the fact that the vagina is NOT the vulva (Damn that Eve Ensler and her bloody monologues). It covers vulval anatomy, clitoral stimulation basics, orgasm, partner communication and participation, vibrators, pubic hairstyles, sexual honesty and more. And not in some bulky encyclopedic monster: in a colorful book just a touch larger than a dimestore paperback. As a sex educator, what thrilled me about this book is what a wide reader-base it can be useful to. It would be just as suitable for teenagers as it is for adults; and open to those of all genders. Also in terms of sex education, I can really appreciate the ability Salmansohn and Krauss have to educate in a way that is bright and joyful rather than tiresome and heavy. It offers up a potent but gently delivered reminder to old hands (as it were) that the clitoris can be one helluva good-time-gal. For those newly acquainted with their love-buttons and honeypots, it gives a warm and cheerful welcome. That's not to say it's perfect. I had a few beefs with some parts of the book. I would have liked to have seen a little more body diversity in the illustrations. Where oral and manual sex is discussed, I would have liked to have seen safer sex methods included in those techniques, such as how and when to use a dental dam or gloves. In the "Care and Upkeep" section, a word or two reminding readers that annual gynecological exams are as important, and more so really, than pubic hair maintenance would have been nice. Dividing female orgasm into the dated dualism of clitoral and g-spot categories -- rather than looking at orgasm as a whole-body, not a genital, event -- rubbed me the wrong way. There are some portions of the book which seem to hold up personal preferences as univerals, such as a need for pubic depilation or a given position as "best" for clitoral stimulation, but there are enough times in the book when "different strokes for different folks" is stated that I wasn't too bothered by that. Overall, though, none of these things was bothersome enough to detract from the woth of the book. The Clitourist is not the be-all end-all of sexual anatomy or exposition and discussion of the clitoris, female sexuality or sexual pleasure. But it wasn't intended to be. Instead, it is a succinct, splashy users-manual which explores its specific arena with great panache and a contagious sense of humor. Now, it's possible that I'm a little biased because it's pretty great to get a book I can read for review in less than a half hour that has a lot of pretty pictures. However, given the subject matter; given the enthusiasm and glory it parades for the clitoris, it only makes sense that Salmansohn and Krauss do us the favor of cutting to the chase and thrilling us in short order so that we can take lessons learned and apply them outside the library and inside the bedroom. Did I love this book? I don't mean to wax saccharine, but yes, I did. It is one of the coolest books I've ever been sent to review in the last few years. After I finished reading it (for the third time), I plotted to decide who the lucky recipient would be to get my copy as a gift, as I tend to give most review copies away when I'm through: my mother? My sister? My neighbor? My niece? But then I read it once more, and selfishly slid it unto my bookshelf. This baby is staying with me. After all, I plan to be revisiting this particular tourist trap for years to come. |
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12.07.06: Scarlet Letters -- in case it isn't glaringly obvious -- is currently
on an extended hiatus. The web has changed, we've changed, and
we're trying to figure out how we both fit together now, which isn't a process we want to rush. If you're looking for more current SL-related content, you can
have check out upcoming books from editor Heather Corinna and previous co-editor Hanne Blank, check out Heather's current sexuality sites, or explore sites through the femmerotic network. We hope to be back with you soon, as fresh, challenging and
unexpected as ever.
In the meantime, by all means, enjoy our years of past content,
all of which still remain in the public and subscription areas.
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