Paperback, 240 pages
Published January 2012 by Penguin Classics
ISBN13: 9780143106593
A gorgeous deluxe edition of the world's most celebrated guide to life, love, relationships and pleasure.The Kama Sutra has always been a bit of a taboo book and as such I never really knew what was between the covers. I was a little shocked when I was asked if I wanted to include a copy in any Valentine's Day activities I was planning for my blog. I actually wasn't thinking about doing anything for Valentine's Day. As a singleton, it is just another day. But I was curious about the book, so I agreed.
Little is known about Vatsyayana, who is reputed to have composed the Kama Sutra "while observing a celibate's life in full meditation." In Sanskrit the word "kama" means desire, especially for sensual pleasure, and its proper pursuit was considered an essential part of a young, urbane gentleman's well-rounded education.
Untold numbers of readers are curious about the Kama Sutra but put off by its clichéd image as an erotic Oriental curiosity. This elegant edition offers a compelling modern translation of a classic Indian masterpiece-and a wry and entertaining account of human desire and foibles. From Goodreads.com
It is a really pretty book. It has French flaps and rough cut pages. There are no graphic pictures inside (no pictures inside at all). A friend and I flipped through it the day I got it and read snippets on the way to lunch. It was eye opening as there was much more to it than just sex. There was still plenty of shocking bits, but most was tempered by remembering that it was written for a different culture at a different time period.
If you follow me on Twitter you know I hosted a Girls' Night with The Kama Sutra. It was a lot of fun. I had a few of girlfriends over. We shared a couple of bottles of wine and took turns reading excerpts from the book. I was hoping they would share a few comments for my blog post, but I think they are a bit shy.
Like I said, some of the advice belongs to a different culture and time period, but some was still relevant today. We liked how most of the advice ended with "whatever pleases the woman".
Share the (Book) Love
As my Valentine's gift to you I'm sharing the book love I receive from authors and publishers. You have the opportunity to win 1 of 5 books. Each day I will feature a different book in the giveaway, but you only have to enter once for the drawing. I'm using Rafflecopter and you have until midnight EST Friday February 10 to enter. Here are the books available:
The Kama Sutra - paperback, US residents only
Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman by J. B. Lynn - ebook, US residents only
Writer with a Day Job by Aine Greaney - paperback, US residents only
Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard - ebook, International
Life is More than Candy Hearts - short stories by Michele Richard, Lisa Bilbrey, and Laura Braley - ebook, International
Posts
Hi! I stumbled upon ur blog from a facebook group..I am glad I discovered ur lovely site! Great giveaway! Would love to WIN "life is more..." available internationally ...as I live in UK!
ReplyDeleteThough I would have loved to win "Writer with..." as well!
Thanks for the giveaway!:)
I liked on fb n follow u on twitter. Hope you check out my blog too, its about book reviews, author interviews n of course giveaways. Would love it if u visit and follow if u like my posts!:)
ReplyDeleteThanks!:)
First thing I read on Twitter this morning: win the Kama Sutra, how sweet. But dear girl who reads how can your life be boring, when you live by the book(s)? Transported to different places, eras, moments in time by your friendly authors. Bookworms are the least bored/ boring people in the world. I'm in the middle of a thrill(er) and have to go now. Winning? Oh, that would be thrilling.
ReplyDeleteGreat review for the Kama Sutra. I hope to win that book or the Confessions of a S N Hitwoman.
ReplyDeleteI have read Gabriel's Inferno -love it- and have purchased Life is More than Candy Hearts. It's by 3 great authors, and I can't wait to read it.
I actually read the Kama Sutra for a literature class in college. It was very interesting from an academic/historical point of view. Not too many people know that it was actually written as a guide to marriage for men.
ReplyDeleteI lost my original copy so It would be wonderful to win another.
Gabriel's Inferno please! Happy Valentine's day to you and thank you for the giveaway, crossing my fingers I win something.
ReplyDeleteKama Sutra for me please. Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Valentines day.
ReplyDeleteKama Sutra is my choice. Thanks for hosting this event.
ReplyDelete