Customer Reviews

Art of Kissing

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book, The Art of Kissing by Hugh Morris, is a funny read. The archaic advice is as well written as it is outdated. However, with some adaption, there are some great tips in this book. In particular,"squiffy ether 'jag(s)'" and "electric kissing parties" are proven, viable, successes! But, as Lavar Burton would say,"you don't have to take my word for it".

This book is perhaps one of the most hilarious books I have ever read, and interesting as it is probably the first book that takes such a funny look at kissing and the"art" of kissing. The emotional and physiological responses involved in kissing are great, very creative, and although I'm not sure that knowing how to kiss is the #1 contributing factor involved in finding happiness, it does offer some great ideas and techniques that have allowed an open dialogue about kissing with my fiance. Great Book!!!

My girlfriend gave me this book, after ridiculing my technique on our first kiss. At the time, I tried to explain to her that since I was far less experienced in kissing matters than she, I should be given another chance. She relented, I read the book, and the last time we were together, I guestimate that we kissed 12,960 times over a four day period, so I guess I'd have to say that the book worked (unless she's after my money, of which there is none, since I've spent so much of it on her). What I found particularly insightful was the overarching philosophy that a kiss is really a poetic piece of art--to be slowly savored, deliberately dwelt upon, and absorbed by all the senses. As in these lines quoted in the book: "The earth went from under my feet; my soul was no longer in my body; I touched the stars; I knew the happiness of angels.'' Those lines recall for me an equivalent, though somewhat more roughly-put sentiment expressed by Simone de Beauvoir in one of her letters to her lover, Nelson Algren: "Give me your mouth.'' Either way, the point is the same: the joy of closing one's eyes, opening one's lips, and feeling the wet, the warmth, and the want of a lover's mouth is unparalleled. Indeed, as Morris quotes Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a good kiss is "as long and silent as the ecstatic night.'' Believe in and practice the philosophy this book preaches, and your partner will be a goner in no time. Just ask my girlfriend!

My girlfriend gave me this book, after ridiculing my technique on our first kiss. At the time, I tried to explain to her that since I was far less experienced in kissing matters than she, I should be given another chance. She relented, I read the book, and the last time we were together, I guestimate that we kissed 12,960 times over a four day period, so I guess I'd have to say that the book worked (unless she's after my money, of which there is none, since I've spent so much of it on her). What I found particularly insightful was the overarching philosophy that a kiss is really a poetic piece of art--to be slowly savored, deliberately dwelt upon, and absorbed by all the senses. As in these lines quoted in the book: "The earth went from under my feet; my soul was no longer in my body; I touched the stars; I knew the happiness of angels.'' Those lines recall for me an equivalent, though somewhat more roughly-put sentiment expressed by Simone de Beauvoir in one of her letters to her lover, Nelson Algren: "Give me your mouth.'' Either way, the point is the same: the joy of closing one's eyes, opening one's lips, and feeling the wet, the warmth, and the want of a lover's mouth is unparalleled. Indeed, as Morris quotes Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a good kiss is "as long and silent as the ecstatic night.'' Believe in and practice the philosophy this book preaches, and your partner will be a goner in no time. Just ask my girlfriend!

I'm happy to see that the majority of reviewers see this book as a joke. However, I must caution anyone who does not:

If you don't stop when a girl expresses anything that resembles discomfort or the desire for you to stop, you are a CRIMINAL.

Do not firmly hold anyone down. Do not stop anyone from getting up from the couch/bed/etc. Do not keep going when she says no.

This book promotes date rape in a comedic way. Not the best thing for people to be reading this century.