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Khushwant Singh On Women, Love & Lust
If you are looking for answers to eternal questions like which came first - love or lust - or debates pertaining to celibacy, chastity or arranged marriages, Khushwant Singh delivers his expose on such intimate matters within the pages of this volume. Whether he is analysing the fine dividing line between obscenity, pornography and erotica, his description of sex from 'Chaturbhani' (200-350 B.C.) or describing his ideas of a composite Indian woman. The book abounds with Indian as well as foreign myths, legends, proverbs and poems ranging from Chaucer, Shakespeare, Whitman to Kalidasa, Iqbal and Faiz.
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 13, 2016
I brought this book after reading 'The company of women' by Khushwant singh and I can say that I am not disappointed. In fact, i brought Khushwantnama while I was midway through this book. The USP of this book is the courage with which khushwant singh writes and the way he writes makes you feel as if you are talking to him sitting beside him.
Some people may label this book as 'cheap', 'lecherous' etc but I would label this book as 'a brave critique of the most prohibited yet secretly sought after topics of our culture'.
Some of the quotes which I liked the most in this book are (some of them are quoted by KS himself in the book)-
'The woman wants the man to love her forever and ever. She deliberately shuts her eyes to those two terrible enemies - Time and Change. Men are more realistic. They know that all things pass. And yet, it's precisely out of this tension between the two sexes that civilization has evolved.'
'The sexual anatomy of the male is a constant variable, the phallus ranging in size and form from diminutive flaccidity to enlarged turgidity, a comical state of affairs...its variableness reflects exactly masculine inconstancy in love...The woman's anatomy on the other hand is unchanging, invariable and this reflects her constancy, her loyalty, devotion...male anatomy is such that whatever state of emotion it is in, is displayed; it cannot be concealed...Not so with female: her anatomy protects, conceals her feeling which can always remain private.'
All in all, a mature book full of aphorisms. I would suggest you to read it as a critique to get the most out of it.
Some people may label this book as 'cheap', 'lecherous' etc but I would label this book as 'a brave critique of the most prohibited yet secretly sought after topics of our culture'.
Some of the quotes which I liked the most in this book are (some of them are quoted by KS himself in the book)-
'The woman wants the man to love her forever and ever. She deliberately shuts her eyes to those two terrible enemies - Time and Change. Men are more realistic. They know that all things pass. And yet, it's precisely out of this tension between the two sexes that civilization has evolved.'
'The sexual anatomy of the male is a constant variable, the phallus ranging in size and form from diminutive flaccidity to enlarged turgidity, a comical state of affairs...its variableness reflects exactly masculine inconstancy in love...The woman's anatomy on the other hand is unchanging, invariable and this reflects her constancy, her loyalty, devotion...male anatomy is such that whatever state of emotion it is in, is displayed; it cannot be concealed...Not so with female: her anatomy protects, conceals her feeling which can always remain private.'
All in all, a mature book full of aphorisms. I would suggest you to read it as a critique to get the most out of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
A very important book of research which all politicians and bureaucrats should read to reduce the frustration in public life
April 11, 2014
Nanmbargal pole vazhvadharkku, maalayum, melamum thevaya enna?
To live as friends, is this charade of garlands and theater (called marriage) needed?
This line is from a favourite song of mine from "Mouna Raagam" an acclaimed Tamil movie. Story of two individuals pushed into a marriage by unintended events and how they overcome past emotional baggage to form a friendship and later a loving relationship, in that order. I know, sounds unrelated but this book contained such insights on love, lust, sex and relationship that I couldn't help but make the connection. To be specific, there is a chapter in this book called "The language of love" which in a very beautiful way describes the mystery that is love and probably will prove to the reader that Mr. Khushwanth Singh isn't quite the pervert that he said he was and believe it or not, within these pages you will discover a vociferous feminist in him too. Only, he was a man who had seen love for what it is, what makes it manifest and what keeps it manifested - lust. Much like someone who has had a near-death experience for whom life takes on a different paradigm that others can only hope to understand.
I had wished this book would have given me what I was looking for, an old man recounting his days of debauchery only to be given a gentle tap on the head and pointed to the light instead. I am glad, I have finished this book with some rare insights I know I will carry with me as medicine to mend a heart that I know will need mending, many times over even.
Buy this book first hand.
P.S - For those interested, here's the link to the song and specific lines I speak of are between 4:29 and 4:44 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGAY6...
To live as friends, is this charade of garlands and theater (called marriage) needed?
This line is from a favourite song of mine from "Mouna Raagam" an acclaimed Tamil movie. Story of two individuals pushed into a marriage by unintended events and how they overcome past emotional baggage to form a friendship and later a loving relationship, in that order. I know, sounds unrelated but this book contained such insights on love, lust, sex and relationship that I couldn't help but make the connection. To be specific, there is a chapter in this book called "The language of love" which in a very beautiful way describes the mystery that is love and probably will prove to the reader that Mr. Khushwanth Singh isn't quite the pervert that he said he was and believe it or not, within these pages you will discover a vociferous feminist in him too. Only, he was a man who had seen love for what it is, what makes it manifest and what keeps it manifested - lust. Much like someone who has had a near-death experience for whom life takes on a different paradigm that others can only hope to understand.
I had wished this book would have given me what I was looking for, an old man recounting his days of debauchery only to be given a gentle tap on the head and pointed to the light instead. I am glad, I have finished this book with some rare insights I know I will carry with me as medicine to mend a heart that I know will need mending, many times over even.
Buy this book first hand.
P.S - For those interested, here's the link to the song and specific lines I speak of are between 4:29 and 4:44 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGAY6...
December 17, 2011
A good book !
April 16, 2019
Just read my goodreads highlights and skip the rest.
End of Review!
End of Review!
November 1, 2011
The book is riddled with stereotypes that jump out of almost very page. Yet, a very readable and highly delightful book. Boasts of a very concise collection of witty and thought-provoking quotes by various authors, poets and thinkers, including Singh himself, who appears to be equally cynical about women, sex, love and lust. Would recommend it to any one intrigued by either/all of these topics.
November 18, 2016
All about male chauvinism. But you can't miss the pun which Khushwant Singh put in explaining sexual content in the most crudest way. His outright comment on composition of women gets onto your nerve, for a minute and lets you thinking -" Oh my God, is that even legal to say?"
But on a lighter note which I am sure the content intend to be, is a nice and funny read.
But on a lighter note which I am sure the content intend to be, is a nice and funny read.
November 19, 2011
For all the vulgarity people warned me about Kushwant Singh's books, I like this one and wish I read it when I was 22 and not now. And I always like books which refer to other works and help my to-read list grow.
December 30, 2012
a perfect coffee table book.
November 26, 2013
true reflection ..loved the character representation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
September 3, 2014it,s ok
February 6, 2015
A compilation
Provides insights on his thinking on subjects so dear to him. Good easy read, not much take out for me
Provides insights on his thinking on subjects so dear to him. Good easy read, not much take out for me
Read
September 11, 2015i didnt like the book...
October 25, 2015
Knowlegable
very nicey written , i recommend to read. Full of contents of women sex and love. Please give it a try
very nicey written , i recommend to read. Full of contents of women sex and love. Please give it a try
March 6, 2016
A good book but lacks content, only contain poems and repeated thoughts
May 30, 2017
Informative and introduces new books. Thats cool.
Read
August 27, 2015aww!! the first book entirely on my fav subjects..!! luv u ...so open..opps mom is near..!!!
October 2, 2019
Khushwant Singh is indeed man of literature, he brought thoughts of authors, poets and orators, leaders across the world on the love, sex and women. He is indeed great indian feminist with vigour of uniqueness, authenticity, humourous and vitality of man he was once upon a time. He is indeed someone of great artistic author with his words playing rhythmatically. Loved his manliness of standing on femisnism.
April 18, 2020
Noice book,
Not that good tho,
Had some very great moments but after some time, started feeling repetitive.
I dunno why i read it tho, lol, i picked it up randomly and finished it.
Khushwant singh, funny chad man, me likey.
I like him.
Nohomo
👍🏻
Not that good tho,
Had some very great moments but after some time, started feeling repetitive.
I dunno why i read it tho, lol, i picked it up randomly and finished it.
Khushwant singh, funny chad man, me likey.
I like him.
Nohomo
👍🏻
April 13, 2018
Khushwant Singh's ability as a story teller remains peerless to this day
July 27, 2018
I don't like many things about this book, especially the author represents women as a sexual resource rather than a human being.
December 11, 2019
good . I like how he goes into the minute details .
January 20, 2020
Well Anayzed
Khushwant writes on the subject like he has experienced it himself. Felt like I was discussing Love And Women with a close friend
Khushwant writes on the subject like he has experienced it himself. Felt like I was discussing Love And Women with a close friend
May 5, 2020
Not very well written but he is my favorite writer so casual time pass.
October 4, 2020
Total waste of time & money.
Utterly useless.
Utterly useless.
November 9, 2021
bullshit.
June 12, 2025
The author indeed has put down some brutally honest content.
October 21, 2025
Always a delight reading Khushwant Singh
December 24, 2025
loved the candid disclosures and all the quotations. kinda niceso. at times hilarious. content seems to be pretty dated, things have changed a ton these days.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews