What do you think?
Rate this book
Vampes e Vadias
The bestselling author of Sexual Personae and Sex, Art, and American Culture is back with a fiery new collection of essays on everything from art and celebrity to gay activism, Lorena Bobbitt to Bill and Hillary. These essays have never appeared in book form, and many will be appearing in print for the first time.
536 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 1994
67 people are currently reading
1428 people want to read
About the author
Camille Paglia
28 books1,199 followersCamille Anna Paglia is an American social critic, author and teacher. Her book, Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson, published in 1990, became a bestseller. She is a professor of humanities and media studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She has been variously called the "feminist that other feminists love to hate," a "post-feminist feminist," one of the world's top 100 intellectuals by the UK's Prospect Magazine, and by her own description "a feminist bisexual egomaniac."
She has been variously called the "feminist that other feminists love to hate," a "post-feminist feminist," one of the world's top 100 intellectuals by the UK's Prospect Magazine, and by her own description "a feminist bisexual egomaniac."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 6, 2011
Paglia is an acquired taste. She's fun and likes to push people's buttons. Whether or not you agree with her, she's a true original thinker (who is pretty full of herself).
September 17, 2011
Ah, ma bon Camille...I stumbled across this title when I was reading other reviews on this site and I was charmed to find that I could glimpse, grunt a bit, and quietly murmur in that way known to the freakishly bookish "I read that."
It was in undergrad. Such an undergrad type of book. Her style is all meathooks and dynamite. Not to say it wasn't salient- I still shudder and remove myself from engaging with the more dense and sci-fi sterile tomes of Frenchified Filosophy- "gunk" was the fun and bracing and refreshingly colloqial term she used. I have always enjoyed her insouciance. She's a whip-smart cultural critic when she's not trying to be uber edgy, provacative, obsterperously outrageous. It was exciting to read back when I was 18 or so, on a very radical, if solicitous and self-righteous campus, just coming into some buildungsroman awareness of the political myself, after painfully shedding religious terpitude.
Paglia was the jolting breath of life to me, at that tender age when sex is more in the head than anywhere else. And it was a lot of fun, energizing indeed, to read her one woman kulturkampf against the squares and the prudes and the persnickities. She gave me a jolt of sugary, near-lucidating brain energy, maybe a really cold fanta for the burgeoning belletrist. It made me want to at least dream of being a provocative intellectual myself one day (one day! one day!) and stun the moneyed, literate booboise by talking about orgasms, Balzac, Bergman, and Led Zeppelin on a daytime talk show. I used to have a crush on her. Now she's more like a kooky old aunt I remember hanging out with before I left for summer camp.
When I found out she was in Yale in the 70's in Bloom's class I asked a teacher I knew could be placed in the same milieu if he knew of her at all and he said with a certain kind of poky nonchalance that he did- he sat next to her in class, in fact. Wow. What was she like?
"Wimpy little kissass."
It was in undergrad. Such an undergrad type of book. Her style is all meathooks and dynamite. Not to say it wasn't salient- I still shudder and remove myself from engaging with the more dense and sci-fi sterile tomes of Frenchified Filosophy- "gunk" was the fun and bracing and refreshingly colloqial term she used. I have always enjoyed her insouciance. She's a whip-smart cultural critic when she's not trying to be uber edgy, provacative, obsterperously outrageous. It was exciting to read back when I was 18 or so, on a very radical, if solicitous and self-righteous campus, just coming into some buildungsroman awareness of the political myself, after painfully shedding religious terpitude.
Paglia was the jolting breath of life to me, at that tender age when sex is more in the head than anywhere else. And it was a lot of fun, energizing indeed, to read her one woman kulturkampf against the squares and the prudes and the persnickities. She gave me a jolt of sugary, near-lucidating brain energy, maybe a really cold fanta for the burgeoning belletrist. It made me want to at least dream of being a provocative intellectual myself one day (one day! one day!) and stun the moneyed, literate booboise by talking about orgasms, Balzac, Bergman, and Led Zeppelin on a daytime talk show. I used to have a crush on her. Now she's more like a kooky old aunt I remember hanging out with before I left for summer camp.
When I found out she was in Yale in the 70's in Bloom's class I asked a teacher I knew could be placed in the same milieu if he knew of her at all and he said with a certain kind of poky nonchalance that he did- he sat next to her in class, in fact. Wow. What was she like?
"Wimpy little kissass."
July 24, 2009
I went to a college that believed, strongly believed, in a well rounded education. We had to take many courses that were outside of our major. A really good idea considering the state of education today. One of the courses I took for my distribution requirements was a sociology class that dealt with race and ethnicity. We had to buy and supposedly read three books for the class. I say supposedly because even though we were told to read This Bridge Called My Back Writings by Radical Women of Color, we never ever discussed it in class. I hated that book for three reasons. One, we paid for it but the teachers never used it. Two, we were told to read it, but the teachers never used it. Three, there was an essay in the collection that said you couldn't be a feminist if you were a white woman or a heterosexual. The class was taught by two women, one of whom made fun of a female student who said she would change her last name upon getting married. I got a good grade because I barely said anything. I hardly said anything because I felt like my views were wrong or strange or too different (as well as low self esteem), and I saw what happened in that class if you disagreed with the status quo. You have no idea how much guts it takes me to post reviews on this website I wish that I had read Vamps and Tramps or anything by Camille Paglia at that time. I think it would have saved me years of feeling too different and strange. I think students should be challenged by ideas that are different, radical, or upsetting, but students should have the right to challenge those beliefs too.
Today, Paglia's book is somewhat dated. It is most likely not as shocking as it once was. Some of what she tackles, however, is still current today. There is a backlash against different views on college campuses which I believe hinders learning. There is a tendency of young women to see feminism as something evil. Today, too often people only read opinions that they 100% agree with, and there is a tendency to put everything and everyone into a nice, neatly labeled box. How boring! I may disagree with Paglia on some things, but she is never boring. I think we need more writers like her. That is, writers who are not afraid to say what they think and to challenge mouthpieces.
In this collection, the best and most thought provoking essay is "No Law in the Arena". In this essay, Paglia tackles views on the gender wars as well as rape and pedophile. What Paglia does in her writing is truly examine something. I may not agree with all her conclusions, but at least she makes me think. At least, she doesn't make me feel stupid if I disagree with her. This last bit is interesting because Paglia is cutting in some of the transcripts, but when she is talking to the reader, she is never condensending, challenging but not insulting. It really is a dialogue. Even though the essay appeared 15 years ago, it still is current because we are still wrestling with the same issues.
Other essays in the book are slightly dated. One wonders, for instance, how different "Diana Regina" would be today after Princess Diana's death, something that in retrospect, Paglia's seems to foreshadow. Additionally, the book is getting four stars because it is very heavy on the ego. This is very true of the last 60 pages.
What I found most interesting, however, were her comments about teaching and about students which are still current today. I would take her attack on Political Correctness further. I would say in addition to hindering debate and learning, PC hinders the student from learning to read actively. So many students have been turned off of reading for a host of reasons. They are told they are not reading literature, that they are stupid if they like that book, that they shouldn't read that because it is X (X is always something bad). Reading is a skill that needs to be developed. Only reading political correct works hinders that.
Today, Paglia's book is somewhat dated. It is most likely not as shocking as it once was. Some of what she tackles, however, is still current today. There is a backlash against different views on college campuses which I believe hinders learning. There is a tendency of young women to see feminism as something evil. Today, too often people only read opinions that they 100% agree with, and there is a tendency to put everything and everyone into a nice, neatly labeled box. How boring! I may disagree with Paglia on some things, but she is never boring. I think we need more writers like her. That is, writers who are not afraid to say what they think and to challenge mouthpieces.
In this collection, the best and most thought provoking essay is "No Law in the Arena". In this essay, Paglia tackles views on the gender wars as well as rape and pedophile. What Paglia does in her writing is truly examine something. I may not agree with all her conclusions, but at least she makes me think. At least, she doesn't make me feel stupid if I disagree with her. This last bit is interesting because Paglia is cutting in some of the transcripts, but when she is talking to the reader, she is never condensending, challenging but not insulting. It really is a dialogue. Even though the essay appeared 15 years ago, it still is current because we are still wrestling with the same issues.
Other essays in the book are slightly dated. One wonders, for instance, how different "Diana Regina" would be today after Princess Diana's death, something that in retrospect, Paglia's seems to foreshadow. Additionally, the book is getting four stars because it is very heavy on the ego. This is very true of the last 60 pages.
What I found most interesting, however, were her comments about teaching and about students which are still current today. I would take her attack on Political Correctness further. I would say in addition to hindering debate and learning, PC hinders the student from learning to read actively. So many students have been turned off of reading for a host of reasons. They are told they are not reading literature, that they are stupid if they like that book, that they shouldn't read that because it is X (X is always something bad). Reading is a skill that needs to be developed. Only reading political correct works hinders that.
December 4, 2008
Fuck Camille Paglia.
Yeah, I said it.
Yeah, I said it.
February 21, 2021
Camille is so damn fun to read I was laughing my ass off getting through this. Very fun critiques on pop culture and I thought the chapters on her gay guy best friends were very touching. She may not go down easily for all, but she’s so entertaining and at the bare minimum deserves to be taken seriously. This book came out the year I was born and crazy enough she is still on the nose.
October 12, 2009
great bathroom reading.
June 10, 2021
It’s insane that people assume a mountain of debt for a pathetic college degree when they could read a single Paglia book. Skipped through some of the anachronistic essays, but she truly knows men and women and sex and gender better than they will ever know themselves.
January 17, 2025
Can never resist an Italian Aries against my better judgement. I love her.
April 9, 2007
Q: What does 400 pound [metaphorically] contraversial gender theory intellectual write about?
A: Whatever She Wants.
[start with "sexual personae," to really get an idea of the substantive genius of Lady C. This is pure indulgent joy, with a lot of really sharp and eye opening cultural criticism lying around in the set dressing.]
A: Whatever She Wants.
[start with "sexual personae," to really get an idea of the substantive genius of Lady C. This is pure indulgent joy, with a lot of really sharp and eye opening cultural criticism lying around in the set dressing.]
May 22, 2008
I'd probably have given it five stars if it had been edited down somewhat.
Some of the stuff here is the boring kind of self-indulgent.
Some of it's great though.
The stuff on date rape and sexual harrassment pushes the envelope in the good way.
The stuff on domestic violence does so as well and flirts with crossing the line.
The bits on domestic violence and pedophilia come across ultimately as the kind of cavalier musings that someone who felt their childhood was too happy might entertain. I was, at fleeting moments, appalled. Sometimes my response was visceral, even at one point putting the book down with a bout of intense nausea.
But there are highly entertaining bits in this book. It's mostly engaging, usually thought provoking, and frequently insightful, once you've learned how to read her.
I guess it might be helpful to get an idea of what her personality is and what she was reacting against and interpret what she's saying through that sort of filter.
I laughed out loud many times, particularly while reading "Sontag Bloody Sontag."
I half think that if you look at the author as a character, you could almost conceptualize this as a sort of atypical novel.
Some of the stuff here is the boring kind of self-indulgent.
Some of it's great though.
The stuff on date rape and sexual harrassment pushes the envelope in the good way.
The stuff on domestic violence does so as well and flirts with crossing the line.
The bits on domestic violence and pedophilia come across ultimately as the kind of cavalier musings that someone who felt their childhood was too happy might entertain. I was, at fleeting moments, appalled. Sometimes my response was visceral, even at one point putting the book down with a bout of intense nausea.
But there are highly entertaining bits in this book. It's mostly engaging, usually thought provoking, and frequently insightful, once you've learned how to read her.
I guess it might be helpful to get an idea of what her personality is and what she was reacting against and interpret what she's saying through that sort of filter.
I laughed out loud many times, particularly while reading "Sontag Bloody Sontag."
I half think that if you look at the author as a character, you could almost conceptualize this as a sort of atypical novel.
July 20, 2018
Vamps & Tramps is one of the better Paglia collections. As the others, it do contain a decent amount of repetition in the different articles an pieces presented, but this is a tad broader. One of the beginning pieces, or masterpieces, is the best thing she ever wrote, the long essay called “No law in the Arena” and from there it then diversifies into smaller and wider stuff that never really get boring until the media chronicles at the end. Here you get all what Paglia is about, raw and uncensored, that will make you a bit uncomfortable but unable not to be drawn in by the argument even if it is initially a bit repellent. As it should be. Educational and not easy to swallow.
July 10, 2008
This is a combination of stellar, witty, brazen commentary and self-gratuitous reflections... Has outstanding moments and definitely shows a more liberal "feminism" than traditional/mainstream feminist thought.
May 5, 2017
Although a collection of formerly published essays, Camille Paglia is always entertaining, insightful and original. As well as her chosen topics.
June 8, 2023
Paglia will stand the test of time. A free thinker in a very strange era. I disagree with this woman on almost every other stance she has but her logic is consistent and that’s all I can ask of a person these days. Refreshing, funny, thought provoking, just a fantastic writer. After watching videos of her speak it’s fun to finally read her essays. I felt inclined to read things at the same pace she talks so I often found myself having to slow down.
All in all: if Paglia has a million fans, I’m one of them, is she has one fan it’s me. If she has no fans I’m dead.
All in all: if Paglia has a million fans, I’m one of them, is she has one fan it’s me. If she has no fans I’m dead.
April 5, 2015
It was all a blur. I can't remember ....oh hang on, Yes, I got the book because some book club I belonged to sent it to me and I did not have time to run to the post to return it so they billed me for it so I thought I better read it now that it was around. Read it and then my friend who ended up as a teacher at some Top Universtiy asked me if I thought Camille Paglia "overstates" her case...and my response was,"Probably a little bit to make her point...but then the opposite side the stalinist-feminists are worse...they want to legislate into people's bedroom by making sweeping generalisations about the nuances that make up human sexuality. I consider what Paglia did a "counter leverage" to their stupid sensationalism & com-modification of other women's empowerment."
That's all I can remember and something about Elvis...her being...wanting to be..???
www.ceciliawyu.com
That's all I can remember and something about Elvis...her being...wanting to be..???
www.ceciliawyu.com
Read
February 26, 2014Haven't really read anything of hers for at least ten years and never had a copy of this one until a couple years ago. I've only been meaning to read it since it came out 20 years ago. Oh my...
So far it's rather self-indulgent, but I still love what her point of view was then. Since she started eschewing weird politics and criticizing Clinton for his sexual exploits (which seems highly hypocritical based on what her philosophies were in the early-mid 90s) on Salon.com in the late 90s early '00s, I've not paid much attention to her. I think ultimately I'll like this one, but we'll see. Trying to read it AND the Chinese exploration book (now that I've found it again) and a cyberpunk anthology.
So far it's rather self-indulgent, but I still love what her point of view was then. Since she started eschewing weird politics and criticizing Clinton for his sexual exploits (which seems highly hypocritical based on what her philosophies were in the early-mid 90s) on Salon.com in the late 90s early '00s, I've not paid much attention to her. I think ultimately I'll like this one, but we'll see. Trying to read it AND the Chinese exploration book (now that I've found it again) and a cyberpunk anthology.
March 19, 2016
This was a fun read, but Paglia is at her best talking about art & poetry. For the most part, reading this collection of columns, essays, transcripts and excerpts felt like flipping through a magazine or scrap book. If you don't already love her, this isn't where you'll start. If you do, reading this feels like getting together for many, many cups of coffee with that crazy friend who does all the talking.
July 25, 2007
better to just read sexual personae, it'll let you look at the world through some camille-keyhole, and you can predict much of what's new here if you look through it right. but, sexual personae is very very fat. whereas this can be read in little bits before bed over a long time (though you may not be able to sleep afterwards).
March 29, 2010
This lady means business. Serious, lady business. Her opinions are pretty out there and often made me feel uncomfortable but always in a thought-provoking way. She's smart, she's tough, she's radical, she's quite a little crazy (and she's not comitting genocide), so kudos to Camille!
June 13, 2020
Still timely!
June 17, 2020
It wasn’t boring to read, although nausea is common while reading this.
August 18, 2020
Paglia's ideas are like someone with one of those child's toys where you fit the shape into its matching hole, but she's forcing all the shapes into wrong holes. Sometimes, you think "Oh, that's alright" and other times, "Oh, that's not." It's a constant back and forth, but I give her credit. She is a vibrant thinker even though she makes stuff up half the time. I loved the drama she created between her and Sontag. Sontag has not commented (as far as I know from my measly research). I will be reading more by her though. Is she a neo-fascist disaster? Possibly, but I'm not sure.
November 5, 2020
"No Law in the Arena" is definitely the core of this collection and is thought provoking.the section on Culture Wars was also good. Revisiting the Clinton takes almost 30 years later was interesting. She makes interesting observations and has a good sense of the punchline, but they feel a bit too spaced out in the later parts of the book. Transcripts of panel discussions and documentaries are definitely could have been left out, better to experience them in their original media and it's not like the collection needed some filler as it exceeds 500 pages.
March 25, 2018
I don't agree with plenty of stuff, but it's a well written, provoking and page turning book. I recommend reading it to anyone.
April 25, 2018
She makes some good points, but like so many collections of essays she keeps making the same points again and again.
Read
August 10, 2020Interesting. I saw her at University of Chicago in the early 90's when she was on your for this book. Cool.
February 7, 2022
In this book, Pags goes full crazy mode and takes down everyone from idiots to retards
August 28, 2024
it’s really not that bad if you take it for what it is: a coke rant
January 20, 2025
First DNF of 2025. Trades in conservative truisms where a nondescript 'feminism' is the root cause of all our problems.
January 28, 2022
she’s not wrong? but sometimes she is
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews