The I Index

Bad Sex: Truth, Pleasure, and an Unfinished Revolution

Bottom of the pile

11

/100

I Index Overall Rating

Readers

4/100

Critics

17/100

Scholars

N/A

Author:

Nona Willis Aronowitz

Publisher:

Plume

Date:

August 9, 2022

From Teen Vogue sex and love columnist Nona Willis Aronowitz, a blend of memoir, social history, and cultural criticism that probes the meaning of desire and sexual freedom today.

What The Reviewers Say

Jessica Bennett,
New York Times Book Review
She is un-self-conscious in her descriptions, recounting length of orgasms, positions tried and the precise tools used to achieve them.
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic
Aronowitz is exceedingly well-read, and her book is stuffed with wisdom gleaned from her elders.
Nell Beram,
Shelf Awareness
Willis's words and deeds are constant touchstones throughout this light-shedding investigation.
Courtney Eathorne,
Booklist
[Aronowitz] entwines her own experiences with a meticulous analysis of society and culture to explore the larger systems (white supremacy, capitalism, the patriarchy) and smaller trends (revenge porn, hookup apps, secretly misogynist activism) that encourage intimacy to fail. The result is an exquisitely researched, joyfully conversational take on sexual oppression and sexual revolutions throughout history, as well as a deeply heartfelt memoir. She references books, movies, and elections that changed sexual history—how they affected her personally and how they effected change in politics or culture. Aronowitz’s endearing commitment to journal keeping offers readers exactly what she was thinking and feeling while navigating nonmonogamy, hot affairs, divorce, casual sex, betrayal, grief, and existential disbelief, often all at once, over the last decade. This genuine and generous emotional offering is sure to make readers feel seen and heard, too..