XXL Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/13638/madonnas-sex-book-turns-23-week-nsfw-obviously/ Madonna’s SEX book turned 23 this week – NSFW… Obviously This week back in 1992, Madonna unleashed one of the biggest controversies of her whole career – the SEX book. Bound with an aluminium cover and sealed in Mylar plastic on the shelves to hide it’s sensitive content, the coffee table book featured 128 pages of explicit photographs by Steven Meisel, as well as poems, stories and essays on sex from the provocative singer. The content included in the book at the time was revolutionary – bondage, cunnilingus. fetishes and same-sex intercourse are all depicted throughout. It was released as a companion to her fifth studio album, Erotica, which saw an equal amount of controversy for its sexual lyrics and adult videos. The book was an instant success, selling 1.5 million copies in just three days, and topping the New York Times bestseller list. Now it’s out of print, and remains one of the most sought after books ever. This news report and interview from NBC News demonstrates the sheer level of hype that surrounded the release, in which Madonna says “in order to like or dislike something, I believe you truly have to understand something.” The book featured photographs of Madonna alongside a number of high-profile names, including model Naomi Campbell, actress Isabella Rossellini, rapper Vanilla Ice, and gay porn star Joey Stefano. While the book was met with almost universal hostility from fans and critics at the time of it’s release, modern day critics are more favourable – The Guardian called it “an unabashed, sometimes ugly, sometimes angry, sometimes ridiculous statement about personal desire” and applauded her honesty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ULIZOS Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 First of all, WOO. Second of all, for those of you who actually experienced that era, do you feel the SEX book and Erotica had an impact on U.S. culture? Did it spark a conversation? Or was the general public more like meehhhhhhhhhhhhh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 First of all, WOO. Second of all, for those of you who actually experienced that era, do you feel the SEX book and Erotica had an impact on U.S. culture? Did it spark a conversation? Or was the general public more like meehhhhhhhhhhhhh. I remember the day perfectly, because I waited practically the whole year for it- October 21. Interestingly enough, for anyone saying she was washed up -at that time- she was all over the place. This is when she was just a regular in the newspaper, even just a random picture of her will just show up. I am not sure how the general public was, but the day we went to the bookstore, there was quite a line to get it. We called a week before, and we reserved a copy. I remember seeing the bookstore display in all its glory. I was so excited. It included a huge version of the book cover, but more of her body and hair was showing, and it was blue and white (like the Erotica cover). I had the $50 all ready. It seemed like everyone standing in line were excited, too. The people not in line either saw it as porn or they saw it as art. This book store also sold CDs, so I noticed a lot of people buying the Erotica cd, as well. I think that the stars we have seen after this have had an impact from this era. I can say when I did get the book, everyone who knew me HAD to see it, including friends, family, and yes, parents (thank goodness they were open minded! I was 19, anyway, but even if I wasn't, I will have had it). The book did fall apart in a few days, but I didn't care. I was happy to have it. I did not find the book to be sexual. Naked women are just so common, it doesn't phase me. I was more into seeing what hairstyles she was doing, and how fashion was going to play into this, because even with lack of clothes, there was still a style to this book. Plus, black and white pictures pretty much bore me, and I know many find them artistic, and I know that was the point to this book. I thought some of the songs on Erotica fit some of the pictures in the book. I was kind of hoping there might be a video album (something I always hoped Madonna will do after I saw the Eurythmics Savage video album, every time she released an album). The page I liked the most is where she had the cascades of hair extensions adorning her. I usually kept that page open. I also liked seeing the picture of the uncut guy (of course wishing it was in color). The cd that came with the book ended too fast, because i thought it was going to be long enough to look through the book with. That is why I played the album with looking at the book. The Erotica remixes worked well, too. I always hoped she was going to make another book like that, but we just got that Girlie book and those childrens books lol. Well, that was the experience I had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boy skeffington Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 First of all, WOO. Second of all, for those of you who actually experienced that era, do you feel the SEX book and Erotica had an impact on U.S. culture? Did it spark a conversation? Or was the general public more like meehhhhhhhhhhhhh. The relevance and impact can't be overstated. It was unprecedented and has never been matched. The polarizing fierceness and unapologetic sexuality. For gay people of a certain age, it was literally Christlike. She was so feared from Puritan Americans. I lived it during my most formative years and it was complete high brow pandemonium. Utter controversy and amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick00 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 M seemed liked she changed so much to the public during this time period. In the overly religious US, Nineties were generally a more conservative time period, and different modes of sexuality are more tolerated and somewhat more understood today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyto Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 That British reporter seems so salty about M for some reason. Probably wish it where her getting all of that attention, money and praise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 What a news fiasco this was. The criticism was annoying. If a man had released this book, no one would have batted an eye. Look at how many books Lucian Bane has written. Look at the paintings of H.R. Ginger. A genius, by the way. Look at the the erotic paintings by... Cezanne, Titian, Klimt!!! I don't see the difference. People travel miles to see this painting by Klimt: Madonna is always getting unjustified flack!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 What a news fiasco this was. The criticism was annoying. If a man had released this book, no one would have batted an eye. Look at how many books Lucian Bane has written. Look at the paintings of H.R. Ginger. A genius, by the way. Look at the the erotic paintings by... Cezanne, Titian, Klimt!!! I don't see the difference. People travel miles to see this painting by Klimt: Madonna is always getting unjustified flack!! That's because a lot of people confuse nudity with porn, and porn is looked down upon. I see it happen all the time on facebook- people getting warnings for their pictures reported as "porn", yes, even guys. Quite a number of guys got reported for being shirtless- and even that being called porn. Forget a completely naked body with no naughty bits showing- it's porn, and I will say, even if their parts were showing, I don't think it's porn. I know everyone is entitled to their perspective, but then I wonder why they even "friend" someone they don't know, but see these types of pictures and report them. Just unfriend them if you don't want to see some skin. I do think this book paved the way for people to be more free and open with their pictures along the way, but unfortunately, we have a lot of close minded people who think being naked is porn lol- poor them when it's time to shower or change clothes, but it is ridiculous how closed minded people can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Wade Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I remember my friend and I going to the local shopping centre to buy Sex,it was being kept behind the counter,on the top shelf. I brazenly walked up to the counter and said "I'd like to buy Madonna's Sex book please". The whole shop turned around to look at me,my poor mate cowering in the corner turning the deepest shade of crimson red!!! The woman behind the counter gave me the dirtiest look and passed me the book like it was radioactive. After what seemed like a lifetime getting home (but was in reality 30 mins),all of my friends came round have a look through it. I thought the book was a work of art,& the writing funny. I thought Madonna was brave for putting the book out,but do think she should've released it 6 months before the Erotica album was released,as the book completely overshadowed an amazing LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerGirl Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 It was a HUGE thing when the book came out. And I mean worldwide. It's like nothing I've seen before, or after for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXL Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 I remember my friend and I going to the local shopping centre to buy Sex,it was being kept behind the counter,on the top shelf. I brazenly walked up to the counter and said "I'd like to buy Madonna's Sex book please". The whole shop turned around to look at me,my poor mate cowering in the corner turning the deepest shade of crimson red!!! The woman behind the counter gave me the dirtiest look and passed me the book like it was radioactive. After what seemed like a lifetime getting home (but was in reality 30 mins),all of my friends came round have a look through it. I thought the book was a work of art,& the writing funny. I thought Madonna was brave for putting the book out,but do think she should've released it 6 months before the Erotica album was released,as the book completely overshadowed an amazing LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 That's because a lot of people confuse nudity with porn, and porn is looked down upon. I see it happen all the time on facebook- people getting warnings for their pictures reported as "porn", yes, even guys. Quite a number of guys got reported for being shirtless- and even that being called porn. Forget a completely naked body with no naughty bits showing- it's porn, and I will say, even if their parts were showing, I don't think it's porn. I know everyone is entitled to their perspective, but then I wonder why they even "friend" someone they don't know, but see these types of pictures and report them. Just unfriend them if you don't want to see some skin. I do think this book paved the way for people to be more free and open with their pictures along the way, but unfortunately, we have a lot of close minded people who think being naked is porn lol- poor them when it's time to shower or change clothes, but it is ridiculous how closed minded people can be. Agree. The same way Klimt did. I never though the SEX book was porn. I thought it was provocative and amusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsaacHarris Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsaacHarris Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 "I'd like to buy Madonna's Sex book please". The whole shop turned around to look at me,my poor mate cowering in the corner turning the deepest shade of crimson red!!! The woman behind the counter gave me the dirtiest look and passed me the book like it was radioactive. A legendary purchase. The saleslady was hot & bothered, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad_On_Her Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 such a cool era even if Madonna did become unpopular in the eyes of the general public. Even during the backlash years Madonna was big, no where near the 80's big but still very big right up until about ROL hype was high for Madonna. I remember as a teenager constantly seeing Madonna in magazines, in newspapers and on the news for simply showing up at a fashion show or awards show. I haven't seen Madonna on the news in years tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acko Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I've said this before but being a Madonna fan when I was twelve & coming to terms with my own sexuality (perfect timing & hello puberty) this was something else...In a way she made me feel a lot cooler than all my grunge loving class mates...It was us against the world... I salute you SEX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubtronic Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollhouse Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 its beyond anything else ever done, its her defining moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasteinmen Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I'm listening to Erotica album in celebration! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rocco Papa Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
promise to try Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I've said this before but being a Madonna fan when I was twelve & coming to terms with my own sexuality (perfect timing & hello puberty) this was something else...In a way she made me feel a lot cooler than all my grunge loving class mates...It was us against the world... I salute you SEX well, sometimes during that era to be a madonna fan was to be against the world here too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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