America Unzipped
So I bought this book…
…and you can find out more about it here.
I chose it for research purposes, ahem. I liked that fact that it pointed out how America in general has the appearance of being a prudish, uptight society. But if you go deep into the heart of the midwest, for example, you’ll find couples signing up for exotic vacations where they can swap partners, etc.
I’ve only read a little bit of it (just got it, and haven’t had much reading time lately - hub is still out of town!) but it’s interesting. And very true. The society we present as a public image is rather prudish and uptight. Yet it seems to be a growing phenomenon that behind closed doors (or in exotic locales, fetish clubs, etc.) we’re doing the wild thing in an extra wild way.
Which is great for us as erotic romance/erotica writers (more interest/sales - yay!). There’s nothing wrong with a positive view on sexuality. All of that negativity and prudishness drives me batty to be honest.
Though I have to say I was totally shocked when I walked through my local B&N this morning and saw this book face out on the shelf. It was the sexuality area but still! Naughty.
So has anyone read this book (the first book not the naughty book, LOL)? Heard any buzz on this book? Think that we as a society are a bunch of prudes and we should embrace our inner sexpots and let it all hang out? Discuss.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Hi Karen,
I cannot give an American perspective seeing as I’m British. However, we Brits also have this uptight, prudish image when it comes to sex. We even have a comical saying:
“No sex please, we’re British.”
Yet this is definitely a false image. I recently had my eyes opened when a friend informed me she was in a polyamory relationship! Despite writing erotica, specifically BDSM erotica, I’ll admit my mouth gaped for a few seconds. After that I smiled, told her congrats and grilled her to get some new ‘ideas’.
Personally, I think we should embrace sexuality.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I’ve learned a lot about sexuality, my own and others, since I started writing about erotica. It’s been a very interesting journey.
My only complaint about sexuality, whether at the prudish end or the libertine end, is the superior attitude they often have towards others that don’t share their attitude. As soon as they find you aren’t in their group they dismiss you.
Different isn’t the same as better.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I’ve generally heard that about America that we are on the prudish side. When I was in England I was stunned to see nudity on commercials.
I’m not surprised at all to hear Americans have this hidden kinky side. We just don’t want anyone to know.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I’m not American - but can I throw in my 2 cents?
As a Canadian/Bermudian who’s heavily invested in American culture, the uproar over “all things of a sexual nature” has me shaking my head, only because of the ’seeming tolerance’ for violence.
I’d be more comfortable having my eight-year old see a naked bum or even breasts on television than someone with a semi-automatic blow up a room full of people…
I realize this wasn’t supposed to be a violence vs sex debate (that’s a whole nutha blog topic, eh?) but the attitudes just seem a bit skewed. rasta
February 27th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Scarlett, I agree, we should embrace sexuality. It’s natural, the way of humans and we shouldn’t put so much shame upon it. And thanks for stopping by.
Rob I agree with your last statement.
Yeah it’s no surprise about the hidden kinky side huh Shell? We’re all naughty in our own way.
And Wylie I agree with you one hundred percent. The violence on the news we watch every night is far more damaging than a naked butt.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Thanks for the book tip! It looks fascinating, so I just ordered it on Amazon. The first book, not the naughty one. Though I’m tempted to order the naughty one
February 28th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Julie I flipped through that naughty book in the store and then some grandma lookin’ lady walked by me, glaring at the book in my hands and I immediately put it away.
Jeez, I acted like a 12 yr old getting caught checking out skin mags! I’m so lame.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I haven’t read either of those books, but they look…intriguing! I’l have to check them out.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:45 am
In response to Wylie’s comment:
The difference in America’s attitude toward violence (as opposed to the rest of the world) can be summed up nicely in this anecdote:
When the trains were bombed in Madrid in 2004, the photos of the destruction were naturally published in newspapers around the world.
Throughout Europe, one photo in particular was viewed in a “Photoshopped” state - a severed human limb was cut out of the shot and replaced with gravel from the tracks.
In America, the photo ran “as-is”.
My friends in the US said this showed that America had “freedom of the press” and that the Europeans had doctored the image to hide the truth. I said, “No, it shows our tolerance of bloody and graphically violent imagery. If a woman exposes her breast for a nanosecond, the whole country goes into an uproar. Had she been shot dead on the spot, the instant replays would go into the thousands.”
It’s something to think about, isn’t it?