Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex

by Ellen Sussman, Steve Almond (Contributor), Patricia Marx (Contributor)

A playful take on bedroom talk—a smart, funny encyclopedia with entries written by notable contemporary writers.
This witty reference steps in where time-honored discussions of the birds and the bees typically fall short. All of the 100-some entries are formally defined and further explained through reflective and ribald definitions, essays, and stories by some of today’s most exciting writers. Everything from celibacy to promiscuity, hand jobs to sex toys is tackled by everyone’s favorite writers including Steve Almond, Patricia Marx, Phillip Lopate, and Antonya Nelson. From sexual relationships (monogamy, one-night stand, ménage à trois) to sexual positions (doggie style, 69), from age-old practices (prostitution) to contemporary twists (cybersex), this alphabetical encyclopedia includes everything you need to know about the language of love and more.

Genres: Sexuality, Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 10, 2008

About the author

Ellen Sussman is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels, A Wedding in Provence, The Paradise Guest House, French Lessons, and On a Night Like This. She is the editor of two critically acclaimed anthologies, Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave and Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex. She teaches through Stanford Continuing Studies and in private classes. www.ellensussman.com

Reviews

[Meg Clayton]

I'll confess to blushing more than once while reading this engaging encyclopedia of all the things my mother didn't want me to know - and no doubt many she doesn't know herself. I surely learned a few new terms here! The sexy was the least surprising, though. These short pieces by an amazing gathering of writers are alternately funny, sweet, and enlightening - and often even poetic! But definitely sexy, too!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and was disappointed when I had finished. The book consists of essays, short stories and a few poems on such topics as Golden Showers, the Lucky Pierre, Lust, Adultery, the Pussy, etc. etc. My only disappointment was that the pieces were so short - I would have like more. Am planning to look up some of the contributors.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't quite finish this book. The writing was mostly mediocre if not bad with a couple of gems in between. I got tired of reading through the "meh" writing to find the well written and interesting.

[Abdullah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me nearly a month to get through this book. Short stories or articles might not be what I usually go for. Maybe it's because I can't help looking up every author mentioned, or every name dropped in the text. Maybe the book didn't grab me, or maybe it's my stubbornness to finish what I've started, no matter the hours already I invested in. Yet, between the pages, there were moments of humor, bits of wisdom, and interesting takes. The thing is, the quality hinges on the author's skill. A bit of digging showed some authors with middling reviews in Goodreads, which speaks to their pieces in this collection. Overall, it was an experience, but there might be better ways to spend your time and better books to dive into

[Melskepko · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few of the essays/stories make this worthwhile, but I was a bit disappointed

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit more then I expected to. The idea of an encyclopedia of Dirty words (sexual terms), seemed well hit or miss in thought, but over all I think it worked very well. The stories are a mixed bag, some being quite engaging; others simply made no sense at all, or seemed to end right at the middle point of beginning to making sense.
This said the ones that did work, worked very well, and I would even say there were a few that made up for the occasional bad ones. The thing that surprised me most I think is on the occasions that the story was so engaging that in spite of the topic itself being off putting (well say), that the act itself seemed, well, normal; almost attractive even.

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only do you get a smattering of dirty words and their definitions to chuckle over, each comes with a well-written short story or essay. Some are erotic, some are funny, and some are just enlightening. Well worth a read.

[Abby]

Don't let the cover and title fool you, this is a great collection of essays and short stories. Informative, creative, sweet and a just dirty enough to make you blush - in a good way.

[Naomi]

The Very Short List review makes this sound interesting. Something to check out when/if the library gets it.

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is less risque than the title leads you to believe. Good, so far.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointment.

[Jack Leong · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, showing the secrets of our life.