The Complete Kama Sutra : The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text
by Mallanāga Vātsyāyana, Alain Daniélou
book data
432 ratings,
3.64
average rating, 62 reviews
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published
January 1st 1994
(first published 500)
by Park Street Press
binding
Hardcover, 564 pages
isbn
0892814926
(isbn13: 9780892814923)
description
The galaxy of pleasures in Alain Daniélou's translation of the Kama Sutra takes you back to an India where sexuality was an integral part of life and...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 713)
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avg 3.64
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Don't believe the hype...I think I even pulled a hammy one night when we...well I won't divulge the details as we probably looked like a bunch of motards doped up on crack trying to install a satelite dish in a blizzard while trying to get our gutters free of debree. Needless to say I still walk with a limp.
Missionary Style? Sometimes when I wake up, I look up at the mirr...I mean ceiling and think: why reinvent the wheel?
Missionary Style? Sometimes when I wake up, I look up at the mirr...I mean ceiling and think: why reinvent the wheel?
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5 comments
Read in January, 1999
I read the complete original text and I found it interesting in the fact that the content wasn't what I thought it would be. Most of the reading is outdated in the sense that it was written for the culture of that time. For example, I skipped the chapters about how to acquire a wife and what should be included in a dowry. I learned more about Chinese history and culture than anything else.
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Read in November, 2007
admittedly i did not read cover to cover, but i read enough to get a good sense. i was surprised to discover that much of it read like emily post's book of etiquette but for subjects such as kissing, scratching and biting (as in love play), how to behave toward the first wife if you are the second wife, personal adornment, and lying with courtesans.
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
history buffs
So, this is the best translation by the experts. It reads like a dry history text and figuring out any useful information is rather wearing. I suspect the Burton translation, while less reverent, is probably more useful.
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I give this a two star, almost one. Not Vatsyayana's best work. I found it somewhat anti-climatic in the middle, not to mention the lack of full disclosure, which as Chase mentioned, did lead to injury. I do, however, look forward to the sequel.
Not a must read. I find it somewhat similar to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. If you're not in some sort of high while "in the act," there is nothing wrong with the old fashioned way.
Not a must read. I find it somewhat similar to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. If you're not in some sort of high while "in the act," there is nothing wrong with the old fashioned way.
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Read in January, 1965
recommended to erik by:
parentsrecommends it for: students of Gupta culture
Like most children, my brother and I knew where everything was in our house, paying particular attention to the things we weren't supposed to know about. This book was contained in a shoebox in the closet of my parent's bedroom.
The Kama Sutra is commonly mismarketed as a sex guide or as pornography. Although courtesans are mentioned, it is not about the sex trade but includes discussion of marriage, adultery, transvestism, homosexuality etc. Most memorable from the childhood perus...more
The Kama Sutra is commonly mismarketed as a sex guide or as pornography. Although courtesans are mentioned, it is not about the sex trade but includes discussion of marriage, adultery, transvestism, homosexuality etc. Most memorable from the childhood perus...more
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recommends it for:
Daring couples with a degree of open-mindedness..
I flicked through this one. Not really *reading* material, per se. More of a look, and learn.. Be warned, however, you need to be into Yoga, relatively flexible, or extremely well-hung to achieve a good 60 - 70% of the positions here-in. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that at least half of the more extreme positions were ones I'd already thought of. It's interesting how each recurring generation 're-invents' sex for itself. Wouldn't it be great if sexual education at schools came...more
I flicked through this one. Not really *reading* material, per se. More of a look, and learn.. Be warned, however, you need to be into Yoga, relatively flexible, or extremely well-hung to achieve a good 60 - 70% of the positions here-in. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that at least half of the more extreme positions were ones I'd already thought of. It's interesting how each recurring generation 're-invents' sex for itself. Wouldn't it be great if sexual education at schools came...more
Read in January, 2008
A lot of text instead of instructional photos. But the interactive pop-ups aid in that area. Beautifully done and well constructed pop-ups...except the first one in my used copy is broken. :( Expect to learn some Indian culture.
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When I finally get to read this book I will be able to let my imagination go wild for all the sex that I have not had in years and will probably never experience again. This is one of the down sides of being single, alone and 50.
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I read this book when I was 15 expecting that it would be the written equivalent of watching the fuzz, steamy, interesting, and worth staying up till 1:00 am to see. The Library version of Kama Sutra I checked out devoid of any pictures delivered a decorum guide on: sexual positions, devirginizing brides, keeping the harem in check, all interesting to boys. It also covers bathing before meeting the opposite sex, hugging, arranging the proper marriage, and courtesans all not so interesting to b...more
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Read in January, 2007
Fallocentric classic on how to woe a woman, providing interesting insights into traditional roles of men and women in India. Some stuff still works, other stuff's outdated in courting.
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Briefly browsed thru this as it was more for seeing what I have not done.. lol!
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My interest in this book was aroused by the hullabaloo sparked off by an Indian movie of the same name. I was wondering why, as a Buddhist, I had never heard of this sutra before. Determined not to remain an ignoramus, I got my hands on a copy, only to find out that this classic has got nothing to do with Buddhism and everything to do with sex. Includes an eyebrow-raising section on when it's acceptable to sleep with other men if u wanna help your hubby consolidate his power base. Ancient Indian...more
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No way in hell could I hold let alone perform in over half of those positions!!
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The Kama Sutra (Penguin Popular Classics) by Mallanaga Vatsyayana (1997)
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Read in January, 2008
....intelligent study of positions and inspirational love-making
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01/27/09
Melanie
added it
Way more boring than I thought it was going to be.
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recommends it for:
Anyone with a bit of spare time on their hands
To slate a book that has survived the test of time as this has would be hypocrisy to the highest degree.
Naturally, most will only be interested in Section 2 (guess which one that is), but there is actually a whole lot more to the Kama Sutra than just sex. Part psychology, part social commentary, it makes for a very interesting read. Obviously somewhat outdated (we all know custom has changed a lot), but it provides fascinating insight into ancient Indian culture.
Naturally, most will only be interested in Section 2 (guess which one that is), but there is actually a whole lot more to the Kama Sutra than just sex. Part psychology, part social commentary, it makes for a very interesting read. Obviously somewhat outdated (we all know custom has changed a lot), but it provides fascinating insight into ancient Indian culture.
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