''The Sensuous Woman'' is a book written by

Terry Garrity Joan Theresa Garrity (1940 – January 30, 2022) was an American author, best known as the author of ''The Sensuous Woman''. Background and education Garrity was raised in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and studied at Palm Beach Junior College in Flo ...

and issued by Lyle Stuart. Published first during 1969 with the pseudonym "J", it is a detailed instruction manual concerning

sexuality Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied wit ...

for women. It is notable for greater frankness in discussing sex than other literature of its era.

Summary

Some of the most confusing and lonely experiences of J's life, as well as the most beautiful ones, have been sexual. She believes women in the modern era have great potential for enjoyable sex,

orgasm Orgasm (from Greek , ; "excitement, swelling") or sexual climax is the sudden discharge of accumulated sexual excitement during the sexual response cycle, resulting in rhythmic, involuntary muscular contractions in the pelvic region chara ...

s, and greater intimacy with their husband or lovers. She recommends women heighten their sensitivity with various tactile experiences, taking sensuous baths, dancing, and most importantly

masturbation Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys such as vibrators, or combinat ...

, with various approaches described. J stresses that masturbation and sex are normal and wholesome activities, and that women should ignore those who attempt to make them feel shame about these things. The author gives tips about fashion and voice training. She encourages readers to look after their health, including early treatment for

venereal disease Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the older term venereal diseases, are infections that are spread by sexual activity, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex, and ora ...

. The reader is encouraged to keep a diary of her sexual appetite, to clarify her sexual ethics, and to practice sexual role-play to keep relationships interesting. J discusses how to select sexual partners, both for casual sex and marriage. She explains various sexual techniques, including how be a giving partner while still looking after one's own pleasure. She gives advice on attending

orgies In modern usage, an orgy is a sex party consisting of at least five members where guests freely engage in open and unrestrained sexual activity or group sex. Swingers' parties do not always conform to this designation, because at many swing ...

, including how to avoid advances from

lesbian A lesbian is a Homosexuality, homosexual woman.Zimmerman, p. 453. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate n ...

s. Finally, she discusses how to open your heart to love and contentment.

Reception

The book was a best-seller and remained popular for years because its frankness about sex was rare in books from its era. The author had "thought about the unthinkable," according to the ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', by attempting to demystify sex in an era when sex was normally hinted at indirectly. Some readers were very angry about the book. Garrity was besieged with demands for details of her personal life. Her real name was leaked to ''

Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and event (philosophy), events that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various me ...

'' magazine by her publisher, according to Garrity, which resulted in increased attacks on her, including several attempts at sexual assault. Her mental health suffered because of the fame of the book and hostile reactions to it. It was among the six books chosen by career columnist

Penelope Trunk Penelope Trunk (born Adrienne Roston; legal name Adrienne Greenheart; pen name "Adrienne Eisen" December 10, 1966)) is an American writer and entrepreneur. Trunk co-founded four venture-backed Internet startups, and TechCruch named Trunk, alo ...

for her list of "best books," as published in the September 21, 2007 edition of ''

The Week ''The Week'' is a weekly news magazine with editions in the United Kingdom and United States. The British publication was founded in 1995 and the American edition in 2001. An Australian edition was published from 2008 to 2012. A children's edi ...

'' magazine.

Cultural references

The album ''Music for Sensuous Lovers by "Z"'', released by

Mort Garson Morton Sanford Garson (20 July 1924 – 4 January 2008) was a Canadian composer, arranger, songwriter, and pioneer of electronic music. He is best known for his albums in the 1960s and 1970s, such as '' Mother Earth's Plantasia'' (1976), He also ...

in 1971, is a quote from the book's title.Mort Garson - Music for Sensuous Lovers by “Z” (Anthem/Sensuous Records 5800, 1971)
in WhiteNoisePinkNoiseBlackNoise

References

1969 non-fiction books American non-fiction books Books by Terry Garrity English-language books Sex manuals Works published under a pseudonym Barricade Books titles {{sex-book-stub

Summary

Reception

Cultural references

See also

References