Bob Flanagan: Supermasochist

by Bob Flanagan, V. Vale, Sheree Rose (Foreword by)

Bob Flanagan grew up with cystic fibrosis (a congenital, nearly always–fatal disease). He died at the age of 43, one of the oldest people with the disease. The physical pain of his childhood suffering was principally alleviated by masturbation and sexual experimentation, where pain and pleasure became inextricably linked, resulting in his lifelong practice of extreme masochism. In deeply confessional interviews, Bob details his sexual practices and his extraordinary relationship with long-term partner and Mistress, photographer Sheree Rose. Through his insider's perspective on the Sado-Masochist community, we learn firsthand about branding, piercing, whipping, bondage, and endurance trials. These extreme narratives are infused with humor, honesty, and self-reflective irony.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Art, Disability, Unfinished, Sexuality, BDSM

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Bob Flanagan was a performance artist and writer. He was best known for his work on sadomasochism and living with cystic fibrosis.

Flanagan was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in childhood. He graduated from Costa Mesa High School, and studied literature at California State University Long Beach and the University of California, Irvine.

In the 1970s, Flanagan began reading his poems in public and was part of the poetry community at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center. His first book, "The Kid is the Man," was published in 1978.

In the 1980s, Flanagan became active in the BDSM community with his wife, and he was a founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Janus. In 1989 he and his wife collaborated on their first work of performance art with a piece called "Nailed."

Reviews

[Shanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after watching the brilliant documentary "Sick". Though it's been almost 20 years since his death, Bob Flanagan has recently become a personal hero of mine. Living life with a horrific terminal illness, Bob was an amazing artist, musician and comedian who coped with suffering through extreme S&M practices. This book, which contains a series of interviews, excerpts of written works, and photos, gives a detailed and honest glimpse into his life with Mistress Sheree Rose. The book is not for the faint of heart, as it contains graphic descriptions and images of S&M practices. What really moves me about Bob's work and life is his honesty, positivity, clarity and humor despite it all. He does not take himself too seriously and likes to laugh at himself and the absurdity of life. Somehow he found courage to live a rich life, be and accept himself fully, and retain his humor even in the most terrible circumstances. Reading his story really inspired me and connected with me.

[Corby Plumb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic RESearch title. A great companion to read in conjuction with the documentary "Sick". Much more insight to his life, approaches and the connections made to pain from illness and SM sexuality. Also ultra NSFW or anywhere really.

[Zweegas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course if you know me you know that my hero is Bob Flanagan. Some of the things discussed in the interviews are dated and irrelevant now, but this book is still too beautiful to put into words.

[Christopher Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.thepensivequill.com/2022/...

[Carly-Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My hero.

[Anette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love of my life

[Whatsit Tooya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life-affirming story about an open-minded man whose illness never stopped him from achieving his dreams - I promise that there's more to it than the kinky stuff, I swear.

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Flanagan with his talented lover Sheree Rose were a dynamic dual. Bob had a lung disease that should have killed him off in his childhood. Instead he survived to his 40's and in return became an amazing hero to me. His work was always in your face. So you can always look away, but then you would miss something extra special.

What one doesn't realize is that he used 'pain' to feel alive. And with that physical pain he made some powerful art. A witty writer/poet as well as a superb art-maker, the late great Flanagan is probably one of my favorite artists of the late 20th Century. Also check out the film "Sick."

But back to this book, it's a book length Q&A with Bob and Sheree, and it's quite an amazing document of his times, his medical problems, as well as their artwork. Also a great love story comes through the book as well.

[Lynsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bob Flanagan. His story isn't just about his love of sado-masochism (although that is a very enjoyable part of it). He was a hilarious, intelligent, loving guy who dealt with Cystic Fibrosis in amazing ways, and was able to sustain a loving relationship with his dominatrix for many years, up until his death. Anyways, he's awesome. Read this and then rent the movie. Or the other way. Whatevs.

[Paolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I caught 'Sick', the companion documentary to this book, a decade or so ago, and marveled at the poetry of pain that Flanagan's work evinced. I made certain not to turn away from the close up of him driving a nail through his penis, an experience that, in some way shape or form, continues to influence certain aspects of my own work and, shall we say, praxis.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Bob Flanagan. I read this multiple times in college. In retrospect, I am not really sure what that was all about. Something to do with my huge crush on one of the smart Jewish boys (who will remain nameless) in my co-op, no doubt.

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my first adventures into the s&m and freak world.