S-M: the Last Taboo

by Gerald Greene

Paper Book, 1973

Status

Available

Call number

306.775

Genres

Sociology

General Nonfiction

Nonfiction

Publication

Grove Press (1973), Unknown Binding, 345 pages

Description

S-M illuminates the controversy over the practice of sadomasochism and its place in contemporary culture. The book addresses the role of women in S/M; American society and masochism; the true nature of the Marquis de Sade; spanking in various countries; undinism, more popularly known as "water sports"; and general S/M scenarios. An S/M bibliography ranging from the steamy works of Baudelaire to Pauline Reage's Story of O, is also included in this exploration of sexual fantasy across the ages.

User reviews

LibraryThing member CliffordDorset

Unusually for a Blue Moon publication this is non-fiction and quite big, and is an attempt to organise some rationality into a practice which is usually misunderstood. It deals with the practice of giving and receiving pain as part of a human relationship, usually between loving couples, and

because of this consensual characteristic it does not fit acceptable definitions of either sadism or masochism, although each of these practices often involves an element of sensual enjoyment. The Greenes, whom one might infer are devotees, feel that using the abbreviation 'S-M' emphasises the distinct nature of their subject. Class differences are pointed out, there being greater adoption of the practice by the upper echelons, and differences between the US and the UK are analysed, although such analyses are always complicated by difficulties of garthering reliable information. Much of the book is taken up with considerations of de Sade, and it is maintained that the man is unfairly maligned, being here seen as an enlightened figure for his time. An appendix offers a total of fourteen abstracts from fiction which illustrates various aspects of S-M, mostly rather tame as though aiming to avoid offence. The book offers considerable food for thought, even if many of its arguments are difficult to follow. It would be good to feel that those who viewed S-M as a nasty perversion could be reformed by it.

Show Less