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Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex

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Who Would Like This Book:

Mary Roach dives headfirst into the quirky, taboo, and often hilarious world of sex research, blending sharp wit with real scientific investigation. Expect stories about eccentric scientists, awkward lab experiments (sometimes starring Roach and her unfailingly good-sport husband), and bizarre trivia you won’t find in any high school biology class. Roach's signature humor makes the complex science of sex approachable and engaging, ensuring you’ll laugh while you learn. This book is perfect for curious adults, science geeks, fans of oddball history, or anyone who enjoys learning with a big side of entertainment.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Not everyone will fall in love with Roach’s approach. If you’re squeamish about graphic descriptions (some cringe-worthy medical procedures are detailed), or prefer your science writing straight-laced without heavy doses of puns and tangents, this might not hit the spot. Some readers feel the humor can be forced, the anecdotes a bit repetitive, or the subject matter just too TMI for comfort. If you’re after a serious self-help guide or a traditional “how-to,” look elsewhere!

An eye-opening, laugh-out-loud romp through the world of sex research. Roach turns awkward science into must-share cocktail party stories - just don’t read it out loud on the bus (unless you’re ready for weird looks).

About:

Mary Roach's 'Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex' is an entertaining and informative exploration of the history and research of sex studies. Through a blend of scientific facts and humor, Roach delves into topics ranging from the science of orgasms to the challenges faced by researchers in the field. With a wry writing style, Roach presents anecdotes, personal experiences, and historical accounts that shed light on the complexities and intricacies of human sexuality.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is humorous and accessible, with witty commentary and engaging footnotes that enhance the reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the exploration of scientific research related to sex, combining historical context with personal anecdotes about the author's involvement in various studies.

Setting:

The setting spans various research laboratories, historical contexts related to sex studies, and interviews conducted by the author at diverse locations.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast and engaging, with each chapter exploring different facets of sex research in a humorous yet informative way.
albert R. Shadle was the world’s foremost expert on the sexuality of small woodland creatures. If you visit the library at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, in Bloomi...

Notes:

The title 'Bonk' is more explicit in English than its Italian version.
Mary Roach has written extensively on taboo subjects like sex and death.
The book explores how sex is studied in laboratories, highlighting that sexual research has been ongoing behind closed doors for centuries.
Roach herself participates in some sex research experiments, including a coital MRI with her husband.
The book includes humorous anecdotes about various sexual research studies, providing an entertaining look at the topic.
It discusses bizarre experiments, such as the effects of polyester pants on rats' sexual activity.
Roach references the myth that the penis reaches the cervix during intercourse, debunking it with historical and scientific insights.
The book touches on how societal views on sex have affected the funding and legitimacy of sexual research.
Roach humorously describes her husband's reactions to her research and the odd situations she finds herself in during studies.
Experiments on animals are sometimes ethically questionable, leading to discussions on the morality of such research in the book.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for medium concerning discussions of sexual dysfunction, surgical procedures, and humorous but sensitive topics related to sexual anatomy.

From The Publisher:

A New York Times Bestseller

"Rich in dexterous innuendo, laugh-out-loud humor and illuminating fact. It's compulsively readable." -Los Angeles Times Book Review

InBonk ?the best-selling author ofStiff turns her outrageous curiosity and insight on the most alluring scientific subject of all: sex. Can a person think herself to orgasm? Why doesn't Viagra help women-or, for that matter, pandas? Can a dead man get an erection? Is vaginal orgasm a myth? Mary Roach shows us how and why sexual arousal and orgasm-two of the most complex, delightful, and amazing scientific phenomena on earth-can be so hard to achieve and what science is doing to make the bedroom a more satisfying place.

2008
335 pages

Ratings (30)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (13)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (66):

Read It (33)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (18)
Not Interested (14)

About the Author:

Mary Roach is the author of five best-selling works of nonfiction, including Grunt, Stiff, and, most recently, Fuzz. Her writing has appeared in National Geographic and the New York Times Magazine, among other publications. She lives in Oakland, California.

 
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