Publisher: Warner Books Inc
Authors: Madonna Steven Meisel Glenn O'Brien
List Price: $49.95
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Reviews:
Summary: Madonna has NEVER said that she regrets making this book
Anyone that writes a negative review about this book has issues. I find it very interesting how some of the reviewers below can go on and on about how much they dislike "Sex" - to the point where their review takes up half of the web page. I ask them - Why do you feel the need to let the whole world know you dislike the book so much???? What is it about Madonna or this book.......NO - better yet, what is it about YOURSELF that makes you feel the need to let everyone know you dislike the book so much?!?!?!?
Madonna herself said that she knew many people would want to see the book, and that many of these same people would laugh, find it revolting, and/or become very uncomfortable with it.....but that regardless they still went out and bought it.....they still couldnt help looking at it! Her point was proven, and apparently is still being proven after all this time. But aside from what she may have said in the past about her motives in making the book, she said VERY recently in a 20/20 interview that her real M.O. was 90% to show off her body and piss people off for the hell of it. As far as Im concerned thats a really good reason....I THINK ITS GREAT! The other 10% was the deeper meaning everyone seems to be searching for when someone does something as provocative as this book.......geez cant someone just like to get naked and take arty photos?
As a piece of art the book is great. It was actually all shot as a movie - some of it in super 8 milimeter, and some it on regular film, and then frames were chosen as pictures for the book. There is (if one is lucky enough to get a hold of it) the "Sex" video, that only Madonna's closest friends got a copy of (I was lucky enough to get a copy myself). The video shows all the scenes from the book in motion picture. There is no talking, just old french music from the WWII era. If one watches the video for her song "Erotica", you will see for yourself some of these clippings, all of which came from this footage.
The most effective photos in the book are of Madonna by herself, though they are not the only effective photos. They are anything but poronographic, but they do set a very dark, sexually charged mood that has the capability of making one uncomfortable (read some of the negative reviews - why else would a person get so fired up over this book to the point that they feel the need to write a 10,000 word negative review?). Any woman can take a photo of herself in the nude, show her boobs, etc. But for some reason, Madonna was able to get an emotional reation out of people for the way that she did such things, as she was a master at making people feel uncomfortable with the sexually charged presenations she gave to the world in the late 80's and early 90's. I remember very well seeing people react to all that she did in those days first hand - the "Blonde Ambition" Tour, the "Justify My Love" video, the film "Truth or Dare", the album "Erotica", and of course, the infamous "Sex" book (which put the cherry on the sundae). If one was to really look at all of these things closely, and ignore the mystique that surrounded it, one will find that it was not all that bad - it sure as hell was'nt a Paris Hilton "sex video" (which REALLY was a dirty porno, and no one condemed Little-Miss-famous-for-no-reason-Hilton the way they did Madonna ). What made Madonna's "dark period" as it is called these days so shocking was the MOOD she was able to set. She would look ever so very sultry with her dark make-up and blonde hair, move in such a provocative manner, and have a song playing that was very sexual in its aura (example: the videos for "Erotica", "Justify My Love"), but NEVER, inspite of what many people have said - was the woman dirty, or lacking class.
What really makes "Sex" so great is the fact that this amazing pop icon had the balls (yes THE BALLS) to make such a piece of work. To flaunt her beauty and her sexuality (and perfect body) for all the world to see.
There is a review below that says that this book is usually found in the 1 dollar bin at book stores........how untrue! "Sex" - youll find that any brand new edition of this book can go for well over 300 dollars - here on Amazon.com they go for about 170 dollars at the least. Another reviewer calls "Sex" a "Boring piece of history" - hey like it or not, its anything but boring! Another person below says that Madonna says that she regrets making this book.....that is so laughable! I have been following this woman's career for a long time. Ive read and seen every interview shes ever done (IM SERIOUS) and that is something she has NEVER said. On the contrary, she does not regret it.....AT ALL.
Summary: Fascinating Failure
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.
Summary: Dita the mistress of fetish!
Creatively thought out and daring concept, the book is more along the lines of fetish and erotica. Maybe this was the inspiration for much of the current fetish/erotica/BDSM scene?
to be read with an open mind and appreciation for fetish.
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