Vice: An Anthology

by Richard Davenport-Hines

The chapter headings in this wonderful collection of prose and poetry says it Adultery, Alfresco Sex, Cruelty, Dancing, Dressing, Drink, Drugs, Flirting, Food, Gambling, Gossip, Heavenly Vices, Hedonism, Lust, Motoring, Orgies, Prostitution, Reading, Schadenfreude, Scuzzy People, Seduction, Shopping, Short Views on Mean Vices, Snobbery, Solitary Vice, Theatricals, Tobacco, Le Vice Anglais, Vice and Virtue, Voyeurism. A truly wonderful collection of on the pros and cons of vice.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

AKA R.P.T. Davenport-Hines

Reviews

[Michael Norwitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davenport-Hines assembles a collection of quotes in favor of the vices. Impressively erudite, although certainly not to be read all at once. 'Cruelty' I could have done without, not being impressed with the appeal of viciousness against innocents and animals; 'pedantry' was excluded for being bland, a shame as I suspect its proponents would have been amusing. Worth dipping into.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you who like the darker, stranger, more decadent side of literature, this anthology is a must have. There are the seven deadly sins/vices of course plus many, many more such as alfresco sex, la vice anglaise, motoring, gambling, orgies, drugs, cruelty and the list goes on.
The editor does a wonderfully thorough job of compiling some of the best writers throughout history to give us their views on vices. One of my favourites: Schadenfreude - Confucious apparently said: "There is no greater pleasure than watching neighbour fall from roof".

[Jeff Russo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit heavy on poetry for my taste, but a good book if you like to have something around for brief reading bursts, like the last few minutes before bed or the bathroom. Due to my high fiber consumption, I'm never in the bathroom long enough to read, but maybe you are.

It's arranged by "vice" if you have particular interests. The writing skews older, more stuff from the 18th and 19th centuries than I was expecting and not so much from the 10-20 years before publication.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuma untuk pengetahuan dan hiburan aja. Yah lucu-lucuan aja gitu..