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adammm's review against another edition
3.0
Eroticism is heterosexist and overwhelmingly Western in scope, with some bizarre choices in analysis making for a confusing read (e.g., a chapter on Kinsey focuses solely on numbers and statistics and less on actual sexuality). That being said, Bataille brings forth a novel argument: that the ordered, profane world is structured by taboos, and any attempt to transgress these taboos brings us closer to the sacred (which can be achieved through death or sex). Pretty interesting overall, but the negatives sort of interfere with the positives. Almost necessary reading following this is Foucault's response essay "A Preface to Transgression" (1963), in which we see Foucault building upon Bataille's work on transgression as well as establishing his own foundational thoughts on the connection between sexuality and power.
selaadin's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a very useful resource for anyone seeking research on how eroticism links with death, either from a literary perspective or a psychological one. The way Bataille is very lyrical but also manages to stay on point, providing a lot of perspectives on something that people are usually too scared to talk about but effects most people. It's a great read, especially for aspiring writers, I think!
trve_zach's review against another edition
I love Bataille, have been reading him for a long time. The central conceit of this book is fully explained in the first 20-30 pages, and it’s a good one. The rest of the book is him providing support for this in a series of often suspect and rambling essays. There’s still a lot to love, but it’s probably my least favorite thing I’ve read from B yet (tedium and tangents reaching new heights).
ste3ve_b1rd's review against another edition
5.0
I can say with certainty that this is a life changing book for me. I've started reading it for a second time as I'm sure there's a lot that I've missed. I can see how many readers could be repelled by Bataille's deconstruction of the heavy, harsh realities he grapples with. The subject matter, by itself, is brutally real. Some sentences jump out at me with absolute clarity; others remain murky and mysterious, refusing to give up their secrets -- Even after a second reading. Contradictions exist within the space of a sentence in this work. Bataille breaks down concepts that are at once elemental yet complex -- For example, "continuity" versus "discontinuity". This is an oversimplification, but in essence, Bataille examines the overlap between life and death; between existence and non-existence; and the role eroticism plays within that arena.
Bataille has been referred to as the "metaphysician of evil", a moniker that I find to be sensational. According to Bataille, eroticism moves man towards death; or alternatively, man moves towards death in pursuing the erotic, which he cannot help but doing, since eroticism is intrinsic to his very nature. Work acts as a barrier against the potentially malign influence of decadent eroticism. Although sex and sexuality in themselves are amoral -- Bataille makes use of a moral perspective in his study of the connection between eroticism and death. Human sacrifice (and its evolution into pastel Christianity / puritanical monotheism) and the writings of Marquis DeSade appear as two memorable themes in this work; as several other Goodreads reviewers have noted -- The chapter on DeSade is compelling.
While reading "Erotism" I asked myself the question: "Must I now view life through Bataille's dark prism? And the answer was unequivocally: "Yes". On a technical note, I find the translation to be problematic [this has been observed by other Goodreads reviewers as well]; typos abound and while many of them are innocuous -- There are instances where both the typos and the mistranslations possibly contribute to misinterpretation of specific shades of meaning.
Bataille has been referred to as the "metaphysician of evil", a moniker that I find to be sensational. According to Bataille, eroticism moves man towards death; or alternatively, man moves towards death in pursuing the erotic, which he cannot help but doing, since eroticism is intrinsic to his very nature. Work acts as a barrier against the potentially malign influence of decadent eroticism. Although sex and sexuality in themselves are amoral -- Bataille makes use of a moral perspective in his study of the connection between eroticism and death. Human sacrifice (and its evolution into pastel Christianity / puritanical monotheism) and the writings of Marquis DeSade appear as two memorable themes in this work; as several other Goodreads reviewers have noted -- The chapter on DeSade is compelling.
While reading "Erotism" I asked myself the question: "Must I now view life through Bataille's dark prism? And the answer was unequivocally: "Yes". On a technical note, I find the translation to be problematic [this has been observed by other Goodreads reviewers as well]; typos abound and while many of them are innocuous -- There are instances where both the typos and the mistranslations possibly contribute to misinterpretation of specific shades of meaning.
claudeclaudia's review against another edition
1.0
If you are the sort of person who likes Freud or anything to do with the “reptilian brain”, if you believe that penetrative sex is inherently a form of animalistic dominance, or if you really like A/B/O, then this book is definitely for you!
If you are normal and well adjusted however (and especially if you are queer) then this is sexist, heteronormative, creepy , poorly written, boring etc…
The argument started off being interesting?? But quickly devolved into making me wonder exactly how far Bataille needed to be locked up away from women
If you are normal and well adjusted however (and especially if you are queer) then this is sexist, heteronormative, creepy , poorly written, boring etc…
The argument started off being interesting?? But quickly devolved into making me wonder exactly how far Bataille needed to be locked up away from women
thewarmvoid's review against another edition
5.0
This changed my life. I think this should be required reading for erotic horror writers, those of us who seek transgression in our fiction. This made me a better writer, a better lover, a better communicator and a more avid sadist, now that I understand where these inclinations toward transgression truly stem from in my soul.
morbidanatomy's review against another edition
reading a pdf on my phone is just not for me, will start it again when I have a physical copy.
motifenjoyer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0