A Hand in the Bush: The Fine Art of Vaginal Fisting [Paperback]

Deborah Addington (Author), Megan Rothrock (Author), Jill McCutcheon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 1997

Vaginal fisting - the intimate, potent sexual act of gradually inserting the entire hand into the vagina is an increasingly popular form of sexplay among lesbians, bisexuals and heterosexuals alike. Now, for the first time, an experienced fister and fistee explains in detail how to fist with the greatest possible safety and pleasure. Extensively illustrated, this long-awaited guide by Deborah Addington has been approved by three fisting-positive physicians and by many experienced practitioners. Also includes an eye-opening section of anecdotes and poetry by fisting-lovers, plus an extensive resource guide. A must-have "handbook" for the sexually explorative!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deborah Addington is a MDiv candidate at the Graduate Theological Union, SKSM and a recent graduate of Humboldt State University in California where she earned BAs in English, Religious Studies and a Certificate in Women's Studies with an emphasis on ending violence against women.

Illustrator

illustrator

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Greenery Press; 1ST edition (July 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890159026
• ISBN-13: 978-1890159023
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

182 of 188 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Finger Fulfillment, March 22, 2000

By 

Binder - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Hand in the Bush: The Fine Art of Vaginal Fisting (Paperback)

Contrary to my usual 'new book' practice, I read "A Hand in the Bush" twice in a row. My fascination with the subject remains strong, after a few years as a participant, but it is Deborah Addington's writing style that I found most captivating.

Addington paints a very clear picture of this very intimate art in direct and often gritty terms; it is a graphic work about a graphic (and possibly intimidating) practice. Some of her favorite nouns and verbs are a little edgy; if four letter words describing sexual acts offend you, you might want to bypass this one.

On the other hand, (pardon the pun) "A Hand in the Bush" is an excellent guide to the ins and outs of vaginal fisting. Topics covered include safety, communications, troubleshooting, and lots of good common sense. The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) covers the topic well, with sections on safety, what's involved, injuries and how to avoid them, who are likely candidates, and what to avoid (for instance: force, lack of consent, and hangnails, to mention only a few.)

This is presented with a great deal of care, and with a level of intimacy I rarely see in non fiction. I laughed, and I cried. There is a great amount of joy in the reading, and yes, some sorrow.

"What's Involved" may help to clarify the tone of the book: "Two(or more) willing participants, lots and lots of artificial lubricants, a good manicure and/or latex gloves, and communication, communication, communication. Did I mention communication? Communication is most definitely required."

Fisting is an art that requires lots of care, good observation skills, and yes, lots of communication. "If pain becomes the overriding sensation and does not immediately subside, -immediately- stop what you're doing and communicate about the sensations you're both experiencing... When the body starts talking pain, -listen-."

If you're looking for a friendly guide to this gentle and extremely intimate Art, I can suggest this book without reservation. "A Hand in the Bush" is clear, concise, and very informative without attempting to be intimidating or overly scholarly. It is, in my opinion, presented more like a love letter than a how to. That adds a great deal to the view that fisting, contrary to what one might think at first thought, is not about pain, coercion, force, or extreme sexual practice; it is a loving art that is easy to learn, and mastery of this art is attainable, where two people have a commitment to care and communication.

Binder says: "Two thumbs up."

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars slim in size but big on info, April 20, 2003

By 

Magdalene Meretrix (Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Hand in the Bush: The Fine Art of Vaginal Fisting (Paperback)

This book is very slim -- there are only about 100 pages in it and much space is taken up with line drawings. It's understandable that the book is so slender since there really aren't volumes of information to impart on the subject, but I really wish the book had been longer. The book does covers the information very well and thoroughly. There is no way to make the information sections of the book longer without artificially stretching it out. As it is, vaginal fisting is a topic best suited to an article, not a full-length book. There is a section near the end of the book with poems and stories about fisting, written by people other than the author. I would have enjoyed it if that section had been expanded, even if it went so far as to take up half the total volume of the book. I was hungry for more information about fisting and would have liked to have seen more on the table at my feast of information.

But even if the reader is disappointed by the quantity of written material, they will not be disappointed by the quality. The author quite obviously knows what she is talking about and has produced a very clear and concise guide to an exotic activity that is one of the less understood forms of pleasure sharing available to adventurous and exploratory couples. Addington discusses safety information, hand positions, necessary and desirable supplies to have on hand, and even more obscure topics such as fisting after a hysterectomy. There is one personal account by a woman who tried fisting but did not enjoy it. I would have liked to have seen more varied accounts, especially stories about difficulties (whether overcome or not) and problems with fisting. I was also surprised that no one, not even the author, mentioned the cathartic or healing experiences that some people can have during a fisting experience. Most of the descriptions of what it feels like to be fisted focused on the sensation of being very full and on a very spiritual level of trust and intimacy. In my experience, this is just one hue of the spectrum of sensations and emotions that can accompany fisting.

Having personal experience with this subject, I can say that Addington has covered the physical territory very well and produced a book that is a good information source for beginning explorations in this intense, cathartic, orgasmic activity. I feel comfortable recommending this book to anyone who is curious about adding this activity to their sex life. Those already participating in fisting will probably not gain anything new from this book (other than the few poems, line drawings and one-page personal accounts) but those who have never been introduced to fisting by a friend or lover will learn quite a bit in the pages of Addington's book.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well written, well illustrated how-to guide on fisting, July 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Hand in the Bush: The Fine Art of Vaginal Fisting (Paperback)

There is a difference between sex and really GOOD sex, and that the difference demands deep understanding of what the other person is feeling, physically and emotionally. Interesting sex is about communication, using rhythm, time, sensation, and mood as language. It is amazing and frustrating how often otherwise appealing people don't get this. The woman who wrote this book gets it. She does an excellent job of describing why one fists or gets fisted in the first place. As aggressive as fisting sounds she makes it very clear that it can be, in truth, an incredibly intimate experience, requiring tenderness, empathy, and patience. If you already are into it, if you're thinking about getting into it, or your partner wants you to think about getting into it...then buy this book.