Customer Reviews

Sex Terror: Erotic Misadventures in Pop Culture

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If you want to eat free for the next few months then read this book and steal Simpson's witty, wicked lines. You'll be invited to every dinner party in town and be the centre of attention. Why Simpson isn't more famous in the US I don't know - but it suits me just fine. All my friends think I'm the new Oscar Wilde.

You either love him or hate him, but one thing is for certain, once you start reading what Mark Simpson has to say about sex you won't be able to stop. I, for one, was never bored or provoked by what he had to say. Simpson has a way of making you think differently about sex. This from an author who is both hated and respected. You may not agree with his comments but you'll think twice about what he has to say. These essays originally appeared in magazines like Attitude, the Independent, and Vogue Hommes International, etc. I found these essays to be funny, sexy, informative, and intelligently written. This book is a great follow-up to his other book, "IT'S A QUEER WORLD".

The book is divided into four sections; Dirty Words, Dirty Thoughts, Dirty Talk, and Dirty Books. There are about forty-eight essays and six personal interviews included in this collection so it's hard to choose favorites. Each and every one is thought-provoking, whether he's talking about President Clinton in "Slick Willy" (the Oval Office has become the Oral Office); or the Republican Reaction in "The Sex Terror"; or Brad Pitt in the "Pittfall of Being Brad Pitt" (a victim of his own beauty); or "Eminem Melts in Your Mouth"(is Eminem really what he appears to be?). There's sure to be some serious eyebrows raised while reading some of these chapters. Simpson's interviews with Aiden Shaw & Julie Burchill are not to be missed, fascinating. He even confronts Henry Rollins with those `gay' rumors.

Simpson argues there is far too much faith put in sex these days, and it can be ultimately disappointing. What is not disappointing is this book and reading his personal points of view. You will certainly be entertained, educated, and never bored. Perhaps you will even finding yourself thinking differently about sex. This is a book that should be read by all. Simpson really puts things in the proper perspective. Highly Recommended!

Joe Hanssen

Sex Terror is the last of all Mark Simpson's oeuvre I have read.

So I can't help but feel sad as I tear through his 2002 collection of journalism and essays, maybe missing some of the spiky dark humour that I know fills the pages.

My second hand copy, with the obligatory picture of the topless, buff Simpson of yesteryear with his chainsaw on the cover, smells of stale cigarette smoke. I imagine one of the characters in the book having been a previous owner - maybe one of the tarty plumbers, leading the metrosexual revolution, or a gay porn actor, down on his luck and trying to write poetry for a living, or a transexual pop singer, waiting to go on stage.

The loss I feel at coming to the end of the road seems to be echoed in the book itself - as the barbed bard of contemporary masculinity puts a brave face on life as a lonely homo in the Big Gay 20th/21st century world.

It's all good, but the interviews stood out for me here. Mr Simpson is an expert at getting people to reveal more than they intended, whilst giving very little, or just as much as he wants, away himself. He even seems to 'conquer' his subjects at times, as an experienced top might overpower his prey. It is a disgrace that the mainstream (or even the 'alternative') media have not snapped up this talent as chief celebrity interviewer in residence.

And like all good writing (not to mention 'good' sex) does, Sex Terror leaves me wanting more.