On Love and Sex

by Khushwant Singh

Over a career spanning upwards of six decades, Khushwant Singh has done more to puncture the humbug, hypocrisy and prudishness of Indian society with his frank and unabashed explorations of human sexuality than any other Indian writer writing in English.
This selection of Singh’s writings, On Love and Sex, comprises an extract from his autobiography, in which he describes how he lost his virginity; a rumination on sexuality in India, after having witnessed a newly-wed couple consummate their marriage on a moving train; and the poker-faced narration of an episode in a doctor’s clinic which leaves Singh feeling ‘buggered’. Also included are selections from his works of fiction: ‘A Mixed Marriage’, a moving account of a Hindu-Muslim union in Mughal times; and ‘The Rooftop Massage’, in which the masseuse Molly gives Mohan Kumar an experience which she recommends he never try to repeat.
Funny, instructive and titillating in equal measure, On Love and Sex is a celebration of two of the most enduring leitmotifs of Khushwant Singh’s oeuvre of work. This volume will delight Singh’s fans everywhere.

Genres: India, Nonfiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Khushwant Singh, (Punjabi: ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ, Hindi: खुशवंत सिंह) born on 2 February 1915 in Hadali, Undivided India, (now a part of Pakistan), was a prominent Indian novelist and journalist. Singh's weekly column, "With Malice towards One and All", carried by several Indian newspapers, was among the most widely-read columns in the country.

An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.

Reviews

[Alamgir Baidya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished "On Love and Sex" by Khushwant Singh. The title aptly describes what this book is all about. The characteristic charm, wit and unabashed treatment of sexuality that is a hallmark of Khushwant Singh's writings are omnipresent throughout. However, in today's day and age, many might rightfully find his psycho-analysis of female desire brazenly mysogynistic if not disturbing on many grounds.

The most disappointing aspect about this particular book, though, is that it is a hotchpotch collection of author's ruminations from one book, excerpt of a chapter from another one and few standalone essays with nothing but the topic of sex in common. It never rises above the level of a sophisticated erotica collection, in my opinion.

[Ameya Joshi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel the immense need to clarify that I only read this book because it was selling on discount for Rs. 19. And honestly, that's how much it is probably worth...

There are two sides to Khushwant Singh which I have known. His long-running column 'With Malice Towards One And All' appeared in the Hindustan Times at an age where I was impressionable and reading the newspaper was something I looked forward to (those were good times no?! Haven't said that for a few years now). With the confidence of adulthood, I can now say that the columns seemed abrupt, random and internet-forwardish - but being the big, famous author that he was one couldn't say that openly.

Then I read Train to Pakistan a few years ago which I did quite enjoy and it made me think as well. I thought well here's the reason why he's such a big deal and maybe he's just not a great columnist.

This book falls firmly in the former category unfortunately. It's basically a combination of his columns and some extracts from his autobiography. The autobiography extracts are BORING. I would've thought reading about a young Indian man's experiences in the London of a hundred years ago would be quite interesting but this is just full of name dropping and excruciating detail about characters with whom very little happens. I couldn't even get too interested in the woman he eventually married.

The columns are slightly more interesting in the manner in which one does a quick skim through one of the 'funny' columns in a tabloid. You're not really expecting to laugh but you might get a witty observation or a quick smile out of it. Some of them are a little more difficult to believe than the rest, that the India of half a century ago and more was not as prudish as one may imagine to be is a bit of a surprise, but others are the ramblings of an oldish man (eg: the buggering story) to which one may be inclined to at best give a perfunctory smile of acknowledgement. There is one shortish-story set in the late medieval India about Nizamuddin Aulia which kind of drew me in but that's the anomaly in this anthology.

Skip it without being misled by the title - there's definitely got to be better work even from this author.

[dunkdaft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly speaking, I picked this up simply because of the title. Yes, as KS is infamous for his such writings too. Hence I thought it won't harm picking up his book which will get over in a couple of days. Alas, it did add nothing for me except wasted hours in my lifetime. Apart from occasional random quotes here and there, this is nothing but just a handful of articles gathered by the criteria that is the title.

[Dr Kashmira Gohil · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is the small collection of excerpts from the author, late Khushvant Singh's writings, especially his autobiography which I read earlier. So it seemed nothing new. The author has a vivid spark about him and straightforward manners in writings. 2 stars for this one.

[Amrendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful little book in the Khushwant genre - more forthcoming and open than discreet. The book contains a dozen chapters, several of which are from the author's own life. There is a chapter each on Osho Rajneesh and Jeffrey Archer and the rest is but chapters of uncontaminated wisdom of Khushwant Singh , his personal viewpoint and his exploits of life, love and lust.

[Shadin Pranto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erotic 'old man' and extraordinary genius Khushwant Singh wrote down his sagacious opinion about two mostly discussed topics such as love and sex. As we, the reader of this notorious old man know he always carries different view than any other person. He has his own deep and diverse opinion on love and sex. This short book is mainly an article collection.

Many of us believe polygamy is a gruesome job. But Khushwant Singh thinks polygamy is much more natural than to live the whole life with one person.

Sex is very much personal. And Mr. Singh has no faith on platonic love.Love and sex largely interrelated. Without love intercourse is nothing but lust and without sex love is irksome.

Nudity is natural.Nowadays we are taking puritan thought. Medieval temples are nicest example of our idea regarding nudity.

Khushwant Singh writes an analytical article about Mircea Eliade and Maitreyi Devi. He also discussed briefly on La Nuit Bengali and Na Hanyate ( two famous semi-autobiograhical novel of Mircea and Maitreyi)

In this book you will not get vintage Khushwant Singh, but you must find some flavour of Classic Khushwant Singh.

[Dhirendra Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good. It gives you a completely new perspective on love and sex. If you have both or any of these two things, you'll get to redefine both of these in a completely new way.
The language of the author is also good. You need to be more than average in terms of vocabulary if you want to understand the book properly.
A novice at English should stay away from this book.
There are many short stories by the author which are actually his own life experiences. The author has taken account of all the world not only of India. So the book becomes even better.
In my opinion, this is a good book to learn a new perspective on love & sex. If you have some time, you should go through it.

[Gurpreet Dhariwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Khuswant Singh and I am already planning to download more of his books. I must say this man had guts to call spade a spade and living life on his terms. I know he is dead but I am just visualising the life he had lived with all those people around him. He lived it well. His book is a must read for those who have wildest of dreams yet they keep on seeking consent from the society.

[Mario A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kushwant Singh is probably one the most outspoken Indian authors I've read about on the topic of sex in India which seems to be a taboo topic to be spoken about in public, but still can be the cause of some of our social problems as a young country. Also the book varies in genre from Autobiography to history to philosophy and his style of writing is raw and honest. He does share some really interesting thoughts about the topic in this book.

[Maharsh Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard and classic Khushwant Singh writing. I enjoyed some of the pieces and his perspective on sex and his interpretation of other people's definition of love and sex. For a change it was the fiction stories included in this anthology that disappoint. The rest are pretty interesting vignettes and this is a great book for a one time, quick one session read.

[Gautam Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quintessential Khuswant

This is a book I had missed all these years. It filled in the few gaps of my knowledge about his life . The piece on Nizamuddin Aulia is superb. The seamless movement from myriad subjects is fantastic. A good read for Khuswant fans.

[Smriti Brar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book thinking I'll know more about this renowned man's views on love and sex. What I didn't expect was to read about Khushwant Singh's private life. So it was a bit disappointing for me.

[Shamsher Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy & Exhilarating !

This book by the world renowned author is a masterpiece, delving into human sexuality interspersed with its sociological aspects spanning the globe, with memoirs of the writer and his acquaintances.

[Sapthagiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice-Less!

Going by the title of the book, one might think that there will be some erotic stories.
However, the book is more about the opinions of Mr. Kushwant Singh about Love & Sex. Yes, there are a few stories that do a little justice to the title of the book.

[subhagata gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

ENJOYABLE READING

A very good book full with heart warming small stories told in a candid way.yeh dil maange more from him

[Prathamesh Adhikari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Collection of short stories and columns. Must read ifyou are a fan of simple and lucid language of Mr Singh

[Saumya Maikota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beguiling!
Very natural. I had low hopes with this one after reading his Train to Pak. I was wrong. A good read.

[Satyajit Sarode · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average read....dont waste your time

Nothing more than his casual friendships with ladies of the town......but you may consider it as an old man's take on his sexual journey

[Jassi Dandiwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well-known writer writes very bashful,

I always liked his writings & the way he wrote about sex. Very interested book to read, especially the story buggered

[Amit Tiwary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a one time read. Mostly exotic and erotic narrations without any insight or thought provoking analysis. Title has word 'Love' but almost no discussion or essay in there on it.

[Shivanshie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humour combined with naked reality and a almost hundred year experience.

[Pradeep Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

It's insightful, and from different era all together still some of the thing click to current world. I'd recommend it's a very quick read

[Abhineet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely frank and bold views on sexuality, especially given the very conservative period he lived in. He writing also invokes good humor. Overall an enjoyable reading.

[Barun Ghosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely to read through the thoughts and earlier experiences of a man who believed in living life on his terms and not pander to the egos of others. Some of the stories are almost a century old but they still resonate today as people will always be complex .

[Simranjeet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naughty old man’s writing style is unique. It has such warmth about itself that’s missing from anybody else in the modern times. It’s like an elder’s drawing room tale. The book draws from his experiences in life and from the experiences of his close associates. If anybody wondered if their parents were saints in their times this book will give you a definitive answer. The book is humours, nostalgic and erotic all at the same time. It’s a short book and must be read.

[Sankalpita (bookGeeks India) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you think about Khushwant Singh and about his writings, what is the first word which comes to your mind? .....


Read the full review here - http://bookgeeks.in/entries/indian-au...

[Zishan Ansari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has to be the most boring collection of Khushwant Singh's writings. Humra Quraishi has done a pathetic job of selecting the stories. Last couple of stories shouldn't even be included in a book with such title.

[Seema Ravi krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure trove of delights and my first exposure to Khushwant Singh's writing. Refreshingly bold, witty, steamily passionate, honest, poignant and a humor that had me in splits after ages! I am undoubtedly in love with Khushwant Singh and his writing is too good to resist!

[Sundarraj Kaushik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical Khuswant Singh book.

The last story "Buggered" for a change is a very nice read. The story "A mixed marriage" involving Khwaja Gharib Nawaz is another eminently readable chapter. The rest is as trashy as one can expect from the author.

[Book'd Hitu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Khushwant Singh book. A very honest and frank narration of his teenage time to adulthood.
However, this has nothing special to offer, reads like an average book apart from one or two hilarious events.