Sex

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Failure
Review: When this book came out in 1992, I was surprised how stark the book was and what a dark tone it took on. This was not a fun, erotic book but a rather somber look at sex and relationships. Back then I was turned off and thought Madonna had made a mistake. By all accoounts, it probably was as Madonna's image suffered and her status as 'pioneer' came to an end. It just wasn't as cool to like Madonna anymore. From 1992 to 1995, Madonna could no right in the public's mind, and although songs like 'Secret' and 'Take a Bow' were major hits and proved Madonna was still a musical force to be reckoned with, 'Sex' was the turning point in Madonna's career as cultural icon.

Now 12 years later, 'Sex' actually does carry some merit. It's still amateurish, particularly the packaging (what were they thinking with the binding??) and some of the phots (ie. with the skinhead lesbians and Naomi Campbell, Big Daddy Kane and Vanilla Ice) are pointless and silly, but some of the text is quite sexy, and Madonna explores some provocative themes such as S/M, power dynamics in relationships and bisexuality and homosexuality that are both sexy, insightful and funny.

I think Camille Paglia said it best in her 1992 review in 'Us' Magazine that the best photos in the book were the ones of Madonna on her own. I agree. The pictures of Madonna playing sexy housewife, hitchhiking nude, hand gliding nude and eating pizza in the nude are both voyeuristic and exciting, as Madonna plays out these roles with the sense of humor and fun that we've come to expect. The rest of the book is quite dark and yet you have to admire Madonna for showing the negative side of sex rather than just flashing her body for a quick buck. She actually makes an attempt to be intellectual about sex and pornography.

'Sex' is interesting reading and viewing. It is a fascinating failure. I think Madonna should have gone the route of playing characters rather than interacting with others and she should have concentrated more on the text. She could have also used a more original title.

As for the Christian reviewer who says that Madonna 'regrets' the book. I don't remember Madonna saying she regrets it but she wishes she had presented it in a different way. Deep down, I think she regrets it from a career standpoint but she should be proud of the things that she presented in this book. Her comments at the beginning of the book where she distinguishes fantasies from the dangers of AIDS are pointed and she also poignantly remarks that there is nothing better than sex with love.

In this book, it's almost like Madonna is searching for that love, and this book admirably points out the loneliness and unfulfillment that even sex brings.

Rating:
Summary: brilliant! - a mirror of the publics hypocrisy
Review: with sex, madonna has done exactly what she inteded to do; show the world the hypocrisy that it thrives on. she knew how the public would react to her book and its accompanying album. the whole purpose was to hold up a part of every person to themselves and point out their reaction. unfortunately its one of those points that murders itself...if everyone understood the hypocrisy of their criticism and understood what she was doing, her point wouldnt have been true in the first place. but it is, and she wins. this important piece of art is absolutely brilliant, to say nothing about beautiful, entertaining and sexy.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best contemporary books on tasteful erotica
Review: Wonderful photography, and stories. A concise and textured piece with an eye on contemporary sexuality. Vivid and real, this book opened the eyes of the sexually repressed all over the world.