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Cathedrals of the Flesh : In Search of the Perfect Bath
Cathedrals of the My Search for the Perfect Bath
- GenresTravelNonfictionMemoir
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 1, 2019
I enjoy quirky books that are outside my usual interests, and this one was. Alexia, and her friend, Marina, decide to pursue their dream of opening a Turkish style public bath in Manhattan. Alexia does the majority of the traveling, and research, with Marina joining her when she can. They visit hamams, banyas, saunas, and onsen, all different traditions of public bathing in various countries.
It was a light, easy-to-read book, but I definitely enjoyed learning about this topic. I know now that if I'm ever in Russia, and I am invited to a banya, I shall say "No, thank you." Otherwise, I probably wouldn't live to tell the tale! ... lol
3 Stars = I enjoyed the book. I'm glad I read it.
It was a light, easy-to-read book, but I definitely enjoyed learning about this topic. I know now that if I'm ever in Russia, and I am invited to a banya, I shall say "No, thank you." Otherwise, I probably wouldn't live to tell the tale! ... lol
3 Stars = I enjoyed the book. I'm glad I read it.
July 2, 2008
Oh, how I wish I'd thought up the idea to travel the world and write about various bathing cultures!
But Alexia Brue beat me to it.
I enjoyed this book because I learned a great deal about the differences and similarities between bathing traditions around the world. Brue traveled to Turkey, Greece, Russia, Finland and Japan in her quest, and along the way she reveals many interesting tidbits including how mothers in Turkey would use the public baths to scope out the nude bodies of potential daughters-in-law to ensure they were good enough for their sons.
It's only a three-star for me, though, because, although the topic was fascinating, the writing didn't grab me as much as I would have liked. It felt a little dry at times and lacked the some of the luxurious delights of the baths themselves. Still, for anyone who is passionate about the ritual of bathing, there is much to be learned here.
But Alexia Brue beat me to it.
I enjoyed this book because I learned a great deal about the differences and similarities between bathing traditions around the world. Brue traveled to Turkey, Greece, Russia, Finland and Japan in her quest, and along the way she reveals many interesting tidbits including how mothers in Turkey would use the public baths to scope out the nude bodies of potential daughters-in-law to ensure they were good enough for their sons.
It's only a three-star for me, though, because, although the topic was fascinating, the writing didn't grab me as much as I would have liked. It felt a little dry at times and lacked the some of the luxurious delights of the baths themselves. Still, for anyone who is passionate about the ritual of bathing, there is much to be learned here.
October 4, 2007
I have given out countless copies of this book to my girlfriends. I constantly recommend it. It is about travel and adventure, sensual indulgence and having passion. It makes you want to bathe.
Read
July 31, 2008I really like the concept of this book, but I could never get into the writing. It did make me wish I could go to Paris and take a traditional Turkish bath. That sounds lovely.
July 8, 2022
'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is an immensely enjoyable book that provides a delightful mix of humour and serious cultural insights. Alexia Brue's journey through some fascinating experiences of social bathing, including the Haman, Banya, Sauna and Onsen is very personal, yet she appears to have captured something unique insights into the people and places she encounters along the way. As discussed in her narrative she also discovers something about herself along the way, baring herself metaphorically just as she does physically in each bath. By the end of this book the reader will feel like they too have taken the plunge alongside Brue into the hidden depths of bath culture.
There is a real charm to Brue's persona in this book in that she appears to be both an innocent abroad yet also a serious student of people, aware of national, cultural and linguistic differences. There is none of the grizzled old world traveller in her narrative; in almost every detailed experience Brue tries to share with her reader the excitement and novelty of each situation. The only time that this falls down is when she visit Greece, but that can be left for more discussion later in this review. The author is passionate about her curiosity and attempts at all times to show respect for those she meets along the way. This means there is little if any cynicism in her writing; 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is a respectful and loving travel book.
One aspect of the book that deserves praise is Brue's ability to integrate linguistic insights into her book, making a solid attempt to not just use the language of those she encounters, but also transmit some of the more esoteric or meaningful elements of their words. Whether it be in Turkey, Russia, Finland or Japan Brue makes sure that the reader is taken into something approximating the inner lives of these people through not just what they say, but how they sound, what they really are trying to communicate, the implicit heritage, culture and beliefs of those she meets. Brue, for the most part, tries to capture the spirit of place in each narrative and the respect she shows for the languages of those she meets goes a long way to accomplishing this.
That Brue introduces the reader to a panoply of interesting and engaging people, almost all who demonstrate the innate kindness of hosts or companions to travellers, is also a pleasurable aspect of this book. There is little darkness in the social milieu of her encounters and whilst this may be a Pollyanna vision of travel, it doesn't hurt her story. Romanian exotic dancers in Japan, Belgian art traders, Russian apartment owners, Finnish entrepreneurs, American archaeologists, Turkish bathing attendants are all portrayed with humanity and understanding. The author's generous outlook on those she meets is most rewarding and an antidote to everyday world weariness.
There is a strong feminist theme underpinning 'Cathedrals of the Flesh', though it is not overt nor political. Brue focuses on her own ability to navigate the world without an incessant reliance on men, either for support or company. She also presents what is, for the most part, a female perspective on the different bathing cultures she explores. In part this is due to the segregation in effect at many baths around the world, however it is also because she is telling her story in effect from a woman's perspective. The focus on female physicality is neither prurient nor judgemental; Brue brings an everyday acceptance of women's appearances and bodies that will be welcome to most readers, no matter their gender.
There are plenty of other aspects of this book that deem it worthy of recommendation. Brue's prose is efficient, illuminating and neither too simplistic nor too obtuse. The length of the book is also a plus; one doesn't have to wade through hundreds of pages of the minutiae of what happened where and when. The author's narrative clips along at a good pace, capturing the spirit of what she sees, does, feels, thinks. This links into the sensual aspect of her writing; the reader can often garner an impression of what Brue feels, smells, tastes, hears, sees.
Having said all these positive things about 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' it wouldn't be proper to avoid balance this with some (relative minor) criticisms. It has to be said that Brue's journey is one of someone who is comfortable in life, and whilst she does travel with some degree of cultural and social awareness at the end of the day this is a story told by someone who is probably well off financially and can rely on a network of similarly economically endowed folk to make her travels less problematic. There is an unspoken level of entitlement that deserves consideration; would a less well off woman with nowhere near as many secure contacts be able to accomplish what Brue does. Yes, it is clear that 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is not a backpacker's yarn of hard times looking for a good soak. However there is a sneaking feeling that what Brue is able to experience in her story would be out of reach for most others who might have a hope to do the something similar.
The chapter set in Greece is a bit of a failure, in part because it seems to sit outside the thematic construct of the rest of the book, and also because Brue doesn't really engage with the local culture and society as she does elsewhere. It's as if she is trying to establish her credentials both as a serious student of baths as a historical experience, and as someone who isn't your archetypal 'ugly American' by showing her at a rather mundane archaeological dig. There is almost no joy in this chapter, no connection with people nor place, and that doesn't sit as well as it should with the reader. Also, and here the reviewer must make some rather pedantic criticisms of Brue's text, she makes some terrible errors when it comes to introducing Graeco-Roman historical information into her narrative. Her references to Solon, Galen and Augustus are quite simply wrong, and for someone who is supposed to be a qualified student of the classics she undermines her authority through these mistakes.
Putting aside these relatively minor criticisms, 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is a most enjoyable read and one that will appeal to many who pick it up. One suspects that not only will the reader race through Brue's story, they will also find a desire to, just like her, find that enticing bathing experience and plunge in.
There is a real charm to Brue's persona in this book in that she appears to be both an innocent abroad yet also a serious student of people, aware of national, cultural and linguistic differences. There is none of the grizzled old world traveller in her narrative; in almost every detailed experience Brue tries to share with her reader the excitement and novelty of each situation. The only time that this falls down is when she visit Greece, but that can be left for more discussion later in this review. The author is passionate about her curiosity and attempts at all times to show respect for those she meets along the way. This means there is little if any cynicism in her writing; 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is a respectful and loving travel book.
One aspect of the book that deserves praise is Brue's ability to integrate linguistic insights into her book, making a solid attempt to not just use the language of those she encounters, but also transmit some of the more esoteric or meaningful elements of their words. Whether it be in Turkey, Russia, Finland or Japan Brue makes sure that the reader is taken into something approximating the inner lives of these people through not just what they say, but how they sound, what they really are trying to communicate, the implicit heritage, culture and beliefs of those she meets. Brue, for the most part, tries to capture the spirit of place in each narrative and the respect she shows for the languages of those she meets goes a long way to accomplishing this.
That Brue introduces the reader to a panoply of interesting and engaging people, almost all who demonstrate the innate kindness of hosts or companions to travellers, is also a pleasurable aspect of this book. There is little darkness in the social milieu of her encounters and whilst this may be a Pollyanna vision of travel, it doesn't hurt her story. Romanian exotic dancers in Japan, Belgian art traders, Russian apartment owners, Finnish entrepreneurs, American archaeologists, Turkish bathing attendants are all portrayed with humanity and understanding. The author's generous outlook on those she meets is most rewarding and an antidote to everyday world weariness.
There is a strong feminist theme underpinning 'Cathedrals of the Flesh', though it is not overt nor political. Brue focuses on her own ability to navigate the world without an incessant reliance on men, either for support or company. She also presents what is, for the most part, a female perspective on the different bathing cultures she explores. In part this is due to the segregation in effect at many baths around the world, however it is also because she is telling her story in effect from a woman's perspective. The focus on female physicality is neither prurient nor judgemental; Brue brings an everyday acceptance of women's appearances and bodies that will be welcome to most readers, no matter their gender.
There are plenty of other aspects of this book that deem it worthy of recommendation. Brue's prose is efficient, illuminating and neither too simplistic nor too obtuse. The length of the book is also a plus; one doesn't have to wade through hundreds of pages of the minutiae of what happened where and when. The author's narrative clips along at a good pace, capturing the spirit of what she sees, does, feels, thinks. This links into the sensual aspect of her writing; the reader can often garner an impression of what Brue feels, smells, tastes, hears, sees.
Having said all these positive things about 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' it wouldn't be proper to avoid balance this with some (relative minor) criticisms. It has to be said that Brue's journey is one of someone who is comfortable in life, and whilst she does travel with some degree of cultural and social awareness at the end of the day this is a story told by someone who is probably well off financially and can rely on a network of similarly economically endowed folk to make her travels less problematic. There is an unspoken level of entitlement that deserves consideration; would a less well off woman with nowhere near as many secure contacts be able to accomplish what Brue does. Yes, it is clear that 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is not a backpacker's yarn of hard times looking for a good soak. However there is a sneaking feeling that what Brue is able to experience in her story would be out of reach for most others who might have a hope to do the something similar.
The chapter set in Greece is a bit of a failure, in part because it seems to sit outside the thematic construct of the rest of the book, and also because Brue doesn't really engage with the local culture and society as she does elsewhere. It's as if she is trying to establish her credentials both as a serious student of baths as a historical experience, and as someone who isn't your archetypal 'ugly American' by showing her at a rather mundane archaeological dig. There is almost no joy in this chapter, no connection with people nor place, and that doesn't sit as well as it should with the reader. Also, and here the reviewer must make some rather pedantic criticisms of Brue's text, she makes some terrible errors when it comes to introducing Graeco-Roman historical information into her narrative. Her references to Solon, Galen and Augustus are quite simply wrong, and for someone who is supposed to be a qualified student of the classics she undermines her authority through these mistakes.
Putting aside these relatively minor criticisms, 'Cathedrals of the Flesh' is a most enjoyable read and one that will appeal to many who pick it up. One suspects that not only will the reader race through Brue's story, they will also find a desire to, just like her, find that enticing bathing experience and plunge in.
March 24, 2019
What a strange little book. On one hand this is a fairly standard travelogue, Brue using the idea of exploring different public bathing cultures as a way into showing different countries. On the other, this is something of a memoir of a relatively short period in her life where she was contemplating opening a Turkish hamam in New York City.
It’s relatively well written although Brue does have a habit of putting up binary comparisons rather than being completely even handed in her descriptions (i.e. Finland is compared to Russia, Greece to Turkey rather than in their own rights). It’s entertaining enough and worth picking up if you have an interest in the subject.
It’s relatively well written although Brue does have a habit of putting up binary comparisons rather than being completely even handed in her descriptions (i.e. Finland is compared to Russia, Greece to Turkey rather than in their own rights). It’s entertaining enough and worth picking up if you have an interest in the subject.
July 27, 2022
Specifically informative but overall disappointing
April 6, 2016
I'm not sure how to review this book, because I don't know how many people are like me, and will read this book and want to *be* it. If you are a bathing/spa-ing fiend, a real water type, you may enjoy this the way I did. If you like travel memoirs with a theme but with some odd personal adventures, you may like it. If you are the kind of person who likes coffee-table books filled with gorgeous pictures of decadent bathrooms, pools, spas (and the publishing industry suggests there are plenty of them), this may be the text-based equivalent. If you are just plain interested in the pursuit of sensual experiences with hot water and steam, you'll probably like this. If you are, however, not interested in the exploits and personal reminiscences of a young, well-off woman visiting multiple countries to focus on a relatively obscure cultural pastime-- if the self-centered-ness and cultural parochialism of the young annoys you-- this would be good to skip.
After a friendly visit to a high-scale steam spa in the Arabic style in Paris, Brue is convinced by her international socialite/banker friend Marina that she should do research for a business plan to open a hammam-style spa in the U.S. Admittedly, this is more-or-less unveiled excuse to travel to many international destinations and take the waters there. (Hey, I want this for my 55th birthday, ok?) Brue investigates Turkish baths (and a well-off young man) in Turkey, follows up with some history of Roman baths in a Greek archaeological excavation, then tries the banyas of Russia and the similar-yet-completely different bath routines of the Finns and their saunas; finishing up with the Japanese onsen/sentos, and finally finishing up at the historic if badly weathered shvitz on East Tenth in New York City.. Along the way she meets interesting people, hooks up with interesting men, and takes lots of baths and steams.
I admit that, especially as she is writing as a relatively young woman, there are moments that make me twitch for the cultural tone-deafness-- but she admits it herself, that these are 'what it made me think of'. What I like best about this book is her writing specifically about women in these bathing cultures; the way women (and sometimes men) who enjoy the baths have different relationships to themselves and these cultural traditions. She sees with the eyes of an outsider who wants to be an insider, and who knows that she is really only an anthropologist-visitor; but an appreciative one. Most of all, I like this book because she also loves the things I love and she leads me on a tour of places I wish I could go to (admittedly with some, unrelated, silly men and some rather odd people by the way, which I could take or leave, but memoirs often have those).
At the back of the book is a set of guides, or reviews, to many of the baths she visited. Being from 2003 at least, it's probably dated. Still interesting.
Pair this with Mikkel Aaland's website based on his book, Sweat: The Illustrated History and Description of the Finnish Sauna, Russian Bania, Islamic Hammam, Japanese Mushi-Buro, Mexican Temescal, and Americ: http://www.cyberbohemia.com/Pages/swe...
After a friendly visit to a high-scale steam spa in the Arabic style in Paris, Brue is convinced by her international socialite/banker friend Marina that she should do research for a business plan to open a hammam-style spa in the U.S. Admittedly, this is more-or-less unveiled excuse to travel to many international destinations and take the waters there. (Hey, I want this for my 55th birthday, ok?) Brue investigates Turkish baths (and a well-off young man) in Turkey, follows up with some history of Roman baths in a Greek archaeological excavation, then tries the banyas of Russia and the similar-yet-completely different bath routines of the Finns and their saunas; finishing up with the Japanese onsen/sentos, and finally finishing up at the historic if badly weathered shvitz on East Tenth in New York City.. Along the way she meets interesting people, hooks up with interesting men, and takes lots of baths and steams.
I admit that, especially as she is writing as a relatively young woman, there are moments that make me twitch for the cultural tone-deafness-- but she admits it herself, that these are 'what it made me think of'. What I like best about this book is her writing specifically about women in these bathing cultures; the way women (and sometimes men) who enjoy the baths have different relationships to themselves and these cultural traditions. She sees with the eyes of an outsider who wants to be an insider, and who knows that she is really only an anthropologist-visitor; but an appreciative one. Most of all, I like this book because she also loves the things I love and she leads me on a tour of places I wish I could go to (admittedly with some, unrelated, silly men and some rather odd people by the way, which I could take or leave, but memoirs often have those).
At the back of the book is a set of guides, or reviews, to many of the baths she visited. Being from 2003 at least, it's probably dated. Still interesting.
Pair this with Mikkel Aaland's website based on his book, Sweat: The Illustrated History and Description of the Finnish Sauna, Russian Bania, Islamic Hammam, Japanese Mushi-Buro, Mexican Temescal, and Americ: http://www.cyberbohemia.com/Pages/swe...
May 23, 2015
The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. This could have been a deeply fascinating look at the nuances of how bathing cultures in Turkey, Greece, Russia, Finland, and Japan differ from each other, and what that says about the underlying differences between them (and the rest of the world), but the treatment is frustratingly shallow. The chapter on Finnish sauna, for example, is always slightly off as she is looking at it through the lens of her recent Russian banya visits, and comes away with the impression that it involves many strict rules — whereas the much more interesting comparisons would be between the different sauna cultures in Finland vs Germany, for example. But rather than really digging into subtleties, we get lots of broad brush strokes (Finns know nothing about Russian sauna culture, because they're old enemies!), plus lots of disjointed travelogue material (such a confusing Russia→Finland icon smuggling tale that adds nothing to the story).
By the epilogue the author realises that the core premise of her trips was faulty — her very low-level focus on practicalities and results and surveying the details required for opening a hamam in New York ended up distracting and detracting from simply relaxing and enjoying the different baths and cultures. But she doesn't take the small extra step of wondering what that should have meant for the book about the trips.
By the epilogue the author realises that the core premise of her trips was faulty — her very low-level focus on practicalities and results and surveying the details required for opening a hamam in New York ended up distracting and detracting from simply relaxing and enjoying the different baths and cultures. But she doesn't take the small extra step of wondering what that should have meant for the book about the trips.
September 15, 2015
After a recent visit to a banya in San Francisco with a friend got me interested in the world of public baths, I was delighted to discover Alexia Brue’s memoir on the subject. Brue is a complete novice in the realm of pleasure-seeking. (“Pleasure was an end in itself worth pursuing. Shocking. Especially to my stick New England code of punishment and reward.” Sound familiar? Her point of view is often similar to Elizabeth Gilbert’s, although Brue’s writing is much cleaner and more straightforward.)
Along with her friend Marina, a would-be Kazakhstani princess, Brue hatches a vague plan to open a Turkish-style bath in Manhattan. In the interest of “research,” the pair embarks on a tour of the world’s public bath houses — from Turkey to Italy to Russia to Finland to Japan. Marina comes and goes along the way, as does Brue’s boyfriend, Charles. Though she occasionally ruminates on their dissolving relationship, Brue’s writing really shines when she’s doing exactly what she set out to do: going in search of the perfect bath. Bathing rituals represent social customs, national histories, and even theology, and Brue’s story is a fascinating anthropological investigation into these spaces that exist in limbo between public and private.
Along with her friend Marina, a would-be Kazakhstani princess, Brue hatches a vague plan to open a Turkish-style bath in Manhattan. In the interest of “research,” the pair embarks on a tour of the world’s public bath houses — from Turkey to Italy to Russia to Finland to Japan. Marina comes and goes along the way, as does Brue’s boyfriend, Charles. Though she occasionally ruminates on their dissolving relationship, Brue’s writing really shines when she’s doing exactly what she set out to do: going in search of the perfect bath. Bathing rituals represent social customs, national histories, and even theology, and Brue’s story is a fascinating anthropological investigation into these spaces that exist in limbo between public and private.
December 3, 2016
True rating ~ 3.5 stars. This book was incredibly new territory for me - I've never been to a public bath (hamam, banya, etc.) and didn't know much about them prior to reading this. Although sometimes a slow read, dense with information - this book inspired me to visit a public bath in the future if I can find the courage to do so alone or maybe a daring friend to join. I can only hope that one day I will make it to one (however near/far in the future). It saddens me to know that in some ways the bathing culture is on the decline in some countries or is becoming medicalized. This book made me realize how rarely I bathe, as opposed to shower, as it is - probably something many Americans are guilty of.
I would recommend this book to someone who wants to learn a lot of new information and has an inner curiosity about public baths. (I didn't even know I had that curiosity until I came across this book!) So glad I read it. I have a copy of this book that I will be passing along to the next curious reader sometime soon (via Bookcrossing.com).
I would recommend this book to someone who wants to learn a lot of new information and has an inner curiosity about public baths. (I didn't even know I had that curiosity until I came across this book!) So glad I read it. I have a copy of this book that I will be passing along to the next curious reader sometime soon (via Bookcrossing.com).
August 3, 2007
A singular quest to explore bath culture in a number of countries famed for their steam baths. At first the author was simply going to research baths prior to opening her own Turkish-style bath in New York, but soon the project took on a much broader scope as she traveled from Paris to Turkey to Greece to Russia to Finland and then on to Japan.
Using baths as a lens on each culture made for surprisingly interesting reading. My one disappointment was that having spent a fair amount of time in steam baths in Budapest, this wasn't one of the places on her itinerary. But her accounts of the "skinship" that women bathers feel in these places really rang true. Baths are indeed great social levellers, and they're also an interesting place to engage in a bit of social anthropology. I was surprised at how fascinating the information on bathing customs in different cultures could be.
Using baths as a lens on each culture made for surprisingly interesting reading. My one disappointment was that having spent a fair amount of time in steam baths in Budapest, this wasn't one of the places on her itinerary. But her accounts of the "skinship" that women bathers feel in these places really rang true. Baths are indeed great social levellers, and they're also an interesting place to engage in a bit of social anthropology. I was surprised at how fascinating the information on bathing customs in different cultures could be.
October 31, 2009
Author (steam)bathes in Turkey, Russia, Finland and Japan for contrast. I wasn't real keen on the Russian section, featuring her friend Marina and a host of yuppies, though the rest wasn't bad.
May 2, 2024
Absolutely wonderful travelog of my favorite things: hammams, banyas, onsens, saunas, etc! The experiences Brue leads you through are vivid and entertaining. Since this is 20 years old now, some of the locations have disappeared, so always check before going.
May 6, 2018
Excellent descriptions of various baths and related rituals and stylistic details from around the world.
February 23, 2025
This is a shout-out to Charles who, whoever he is, deserved better than this.
January 20, 2011
I genuinely enjoyed reading this book for my class on the Art of Bathing. This would never in a million years have made it to my list of books to read otherwise, but I'm glad of the chance to read something crazy and different that I wouldn't have picked out for myself. This is my second book in three months about a woman going on an extended journey to obscure corners of the world to find herself, the first being Eat Pray Love, of course. I again noted and was grateful for the way the protagonist traveled without much ceremony, without much prior planning, and with the intent to get to know well the cultures she enters. She networked, she asked questions, she talked to people, and for her trouble she was rewarded with the inside look into bathing culture that she sought. I would recommend this book to people who want a window into another world.
May 31, 2007
the writing was pretty terrible, but her international journey spent exploring the traditional baths of different cultures kept me reading. jasmine! lavender! lands of mysterious deserts! steam palaces! endless cups of mint tea! perhaps she was a bit of a snot (did i mention she graduated from grinnell with a degree in classics?), but reading about turkish hamams and japanese mountain spring baths is not a bad way to relax.
November 15, 2014
I love a travelogue with a quirky quest, so this had me intrigued from the beginning. The first half of the book was brilliant, with its rich descriptions of the baths, cities and people of Turkey and Russia. After that though, the story seemed to fall away, lacking the earlier depth. The ebook could have benefited from some proof reading as the formatting was rather skewy with whole passages disconcertingly embedded within unrelated paragraphs
September 12, 2018
As a hot water aficionado, I thoroughly enjoyed Alexia Brue's journey to some of the world's baths, in the steam, sauna and pool forms. Her account is not a hot springs guide, but rather is a personal exploration of bathing traditions from their (now neglected) origins in Turkey to modern day incarnations in Russia, Finland and Japan.
Time to hit the spa!
Time to hit the spa!
August 5, 2016
Travel meets bathing around the world - ancient: Greece, ongoing: Turkey, moderner: Russian, sparse: Finland, east: Japan.
Ok. Not sure I love this author, bathing I do love but maybe not as extremely as I thought.
Ok. Not sure I love this author, bathing I do love but maybe not as extremely as I thought.
March 14, 2007
Not so much amazing because of the writing, although the writing is good, but more because of the subject matter. Baths! they are awesome!
September 2, 2007
A- Very quick but good memoir about obsessions with spas
March 14, 2008
Just reread. Awesome. In the original sense of the word. Makes me want to skip town and find a little Turkish town to live in.
June 26, 2008
Wish I'd written this book first - I loved it because her experiences reminded me of so many of my own... the Russian Banya in particular !
Want to read
November 2, 2009I've read books about how other cultures use the toilet, so this is right up my alley!
March 7, 2012
Funny and interesting - thanks Angela for the recommendation
June 18, 2016
Travel account of the search to find the ideal baths and in view to setting up a facility. Lots of interesting adventures and nicely written.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews