A Defence of Masochism

by Anita Phillips

Sado-masochism has become an influence on art, fashion, literature and thought. Who are the masochists, and why are they doing it? Is is a dangerous perversion, or a harmless, playful pastime? Addressing these questions, this book presents a portrait of human longing, curiosity and eroticism, drawing on a variety of literary, psychoanalytic and cultural sources, from Freud and Sacher-Masoch's "Venus in Furs" to David Lynch films and "The Story of O".

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Theory, Feminism, Gender and Sexuality, BDSM

220 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Christy Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were parts of Phillips book that were quite good, esp. the beginning portions that focused on history or in providing context for a wide angle lens on what masochism might entail from the expected kink whether sexual or not to an understanding of concepts of ascetic and mystical practices of pain and suffering as identification with The Passion. Her highlighting of sports as often having masochistic elements (boxing, football, even running) where pleasure and pain are intermixed were unexpected and interesting metaphors. These parts of the book were well handled. Her broad use of literature and psychology supported much.

Where the book fell down for me is that parts of it, at 18 years out, felt very dated. I was using a university scholastic copy and am unaware of whether a more updated edition is available, but so much has changed legally and in sociological views in that time that many of the middle chapters bore a view of LGBTQ individuals or of "masculinity" that has clearly undergone vast shifts in the broader culture. There is also very decidedly the mark of this being written by and more geared for a UK audience as some of the political and social examples don't hold up as well from my American perspective. Definitely was a mixed bag of stronger and weaker sections and thus a more mixed review.

[NA · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is ridiculous shit.

[Selina D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts are way stronger than others

[Luna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really quite confused about what Anita Phillips was trying to do with this book. It started off okay enough, with her mentioning Venus in Furs and the historical psychological analysis of masochism, but then she started twisting and turning and going really nowhere.

The few brief good points she brings up (which is why I rated this book two out of five stars as opposed to one) is lost in the garble that she fills the pages with. She emphasis the need for consent in BDSM relationships (despite stating repeatedly that sadist get off only on non-consensual violence) and that people in consensual BDSM relationships shouldn't be prosecuted by the law. The rest... well, she just dribbles on.

Phillips talks about art, gender and society without really mentioning masochism. I'm not entirely sure what her point was half the time. She talks in circles all the time, and I wonder if she's hoping to confuse the readers into agreeing with her. The editor really should have pulled her up on it.

This review is much better than I could hope to achieve, and I recommend it. I can't recommend this book, though.

[Martha]

Many individuals casually use the word "masochist" to describe themselves and their situations, but the word has been quite morphed from its original meaning into something "silly" and/or "sexually deviant". The book tells the history of masochism and attempts to redefine its "true" meaning to readers. Very interesting read on sexuality and the history of this quality. Funny to read about how society tried to adopt something in the complete incorrect context and pass it off as the truth.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

well presented arguments for doing whatever the fuck makes you feel good and not feeling bad about it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

A heteronormative snooze.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring