Missed the mark-a pity really

Reviewed by Lloyd R. Stevenson, 2006-12-18

I'm afraid this book missed the mark for me, which is a pity because it is very nearly a good book. The photo.s are generally good which was the books redeeming quality.

(For me) The text lets the book down terribly. The Author may be a Doctor, and I can respect that. However, either write it in clinical vernacular as a Doctor (as per Masters and Johnston or Kinsley) or write it at eye level with the reader as a peer and equal, as another sexual being. If you want to understand what I mean check out the styles of Authors such as Jen Sincero (The Straight Girl's Guide to Sleeping with Chicks), Toni Bentley (The Surrender) and Zoe Schramm-Evans (Making Out). These may be more specifically targeted than SexPerfect to minority interests but an adult can comfortably read them.

An equivalent book in many ways to SexPerfect is `The Essential Kama-Sutra' by the Erotice Print Society in London. In `The Essential Kama-Sutra' the couple look to be celebrating Life, Love and Sex. They are introduced to the reader by name, history and relationship and give a participant's feedback to the different techniques, sex positions etc. It's smiles and laughter and fun so it doesn't try to reinforce the dysfunctional and sick fallacy that sex is a serious business. SexPerfect made me feel like a pygmy in the Jungle being spoken down to by a bombastic, condescending missionary who'd come to convert me and felt he knew better about everything in my world than I did. My partners who looked over it were struck with the same feeling.

The three `Crunchers' for me were:-
1. ` ....a game young woman is urging on her muscular lover with the aid of........' re a lightweight spanking type photo. `-muscular lover'?? Are we writing to add value to people's intimate world?, an erotic novel?, a porno script? Or what?
2. Kiddie talk. Sorry-this aspect of this book made me feel downright dirty! If it's a clinical paper it's someone's anus, if it's a `one-to-one' manuscript it's a lot of other more adult names but stuff like "If someone's going to put a finger inside your bottom it's wise to pop off to the loo first' sound so much like someone talking to an eight year old on school camp it's almost disturbing. Finally-
3. `The Delvin manoeuvre'!! Sorry buddy-I think you need to get out a bit more often!! The Author's describing something I've always done with my partners. I hope his ego can adjust but even if the visuals in my head gross me out a bit I reckon my Grandpa probably used to do it to my Grandma too. Maybe I'll give it a name too-I'll call it the `My Grandpa manoeuvre'.

I know it seems I've given this poor bloke a right proper sledging here but, notwithstanding, if you can borrow a copy of SexPerfect or pick one up very cheap, consider having a look at it. The Author obviously meant well and I'll support anything that brings people closer to the bliss and sexual ecstasy we all deserve. I'm also big enough to accept all of what's right or wrong for me doesn't necessarily apply to everyone else. For me-The aforementioned `The Essential Kama-Sutra' is Shakespeare next to a tabloid here but, if the opportunity presents itself have a look at SexPerfect anyway. Not real flash would be my summary but it might be just right for you and I'll applaud anyone and anything that brings anyone closer to reaching their full potential and pleasure but this one didn't do it for me. Cheers. Lloyd