Sex and Isolation: And Other Essays

Bruce Benderson

University of Wisconsin Press, Nov 24, 2007 - Literary Collections - 200 pages

Winner of France’s 2004 Prix de Flore for his memoir The Romanian: Story of an Obsession, Bruce Benderson has gained international respect for his controversial opinions and original take on contemporary society. In this collection of essays, Benderson directs his exceptional powers of observation toward some of the most debated, as well as some of the most neglected, issues of our day.
     In Sex and Isolation, readers will encounter eccentric street people, Latin American literary geniuses, a French cabaret owner, a transvestite performer, and many other unusual characters; they’ll visit subcultures rarely described in writing and be treated to Benderson’s iconoclastic opinions about culture in former and contemporary urban society. Whether proposing new theories about the relationship between art, entertainment, and sex, analyzing the rise of the Internet and the disappearance of public space, or considering how religion and sexual identity interact, each essay demonstrates sharp wit, surprising insight and some startling intellectual positions.
     This is the first American volume of Benderson’s collected essays, featuring both new work and some of his best-known writings, including his famous essay “Toward the New Degeneracy.”  Outstanding University Press Book selection, Foreword Magazine

What people are saying

Review: Sex and Isolation: And Other Essays

User Review  - Marianne - Goodreads

Exceptionally uneven - some real brilliant stuff, some utterly obnoxious and angry-making stuff, some pedantry, and even a couple of places where I couldn't decide which of those three things it was... I would start with The Romanian, not here.

Review: Sex and Isolation: And Other Essays

User Review  - Mike Mcelhaney - Goodreads

Great essays on life, sex and class. When he is spouting opinions, he has a gifted eye. His biographical articles on the semi-famous are not as entertaining, but have merit just the same. A good, quick take on contemporary society.

About the author

Bruce Benderson is the author of seven books, including The Romanian: Story of an Obsession, User, and Pretending to Say No. He has contributed articles to the New York Times Magazine, Village Voice, nest, Paris Vogue, Blackbook, Libération, and other media. An accomplished translator and bilingual author, he has also taught creative writing, urban culture, and French literature at colleges throughout the United States. He divides his time between New York and Paris.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Sex and Isolation: And Other Essays
• Author: Bruce Benderson
• Contributor: Catherine Texier
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press, 2007
• ISBN: 0299223140, 9780299223144
• Length: 200 pages
• Subjects: Literary Collections / Essays; Literary Collections / General; Social Science / Gender Studies; Social Science / Sociology / Urban