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The Sex book


Erlend
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The Sex book caused a lot of controversy when it was released back in 1992. And so I wonder what you thought of it. Did she go too far (as Robin Leach tried to convince us, with that cheesy documentary "Madonna Exposed")? Or did you salute her from the sideline?

Also, how do you view the book today, in hinsight?

 

Edited by Erlend (see edit history)
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It was confusing to see her release the book at that time and I think most people didn’t understand what she was actually getting at. Was it porn? Was it erotic? Was it suitable for a female pop celebrity to release such a book? Why was she being exhibitionist? Why was she pushing buttons?

Years later, I still love the book and applaud her for being brave enough to hold up a mirror to society. 
It was an angry feminist act.
 

https://monoskop.org/images/7/75/Madonna_Sex.pdf

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43 minutes ago, NowRadiate said:

It was confusing to see her release the book at that time and I think most people didn’t understand what she was actually getting at. Was it porn? Was it erotic? Was it suitable for a female pop celebrity to release such a book? Why was she being exhibitionist? Why was sue pushing buttons?

Years later, I still love the book and applaud her for being brave enough to hold up a mirror to society. 
It was an angry feminist act.
 

https://monoskop.org/images/7/75/Madonna_Sex.pdf

"An angry feminist act..." Now, that's a good way to put it! This was indeed Madonna at her most radical.

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16 minutes ago, RebelHeart said:

I just wonder... for me the book is still controversial, even it was released today. So imagine what WAS it back then. I can only imagine cause I was born in 1993 :kitty:

The book was very controversial, yes. It made headlines in all the big newpapers, and some people likened it to the Beatles-mania when they visited the US (for the very first time) in the 60s.  Some people (quite a lot of them, actually) began to wonder if Madonnas carreer was over.

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16 minutes ago, Kieran said:

Found it! Geez, that host IS cheesy lol... he says that M "tried to stop this broadcast, even though she herself has a problem with censorship" :lol:

 

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Yes, Robin Leach can barely contain himself ?

 

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4 hours ago, Erlend said:

The Sex book caused a lot of controversy when it was released back in 1992. And so I wonder what you thought of it. Did she go too far (as Robin Leach tried to convince us, with that cheezy documentary "Madonna Exposed")? Or did you salute her from the sideline?

Also, how do you view the book today, in hindsight?

 

 

I was in junior high school at the time, i wasnt all too familiar with sex or the different types or ways to have sex.  I wasnt familiar with the concept of limited edition and it not being available to buy when i got older so just keep all that in mind.

The era kicked off with Erotica - and it wasnt really shown on the music video channels and i didnt get to see it those 3 times it was shown late.  I bought the single, i wasnt sure what was by her lip - is that lipstick?  I asked my mom, she didnt know either.

The news constantly talked about madonna mania about to hit us, with a book, an album and a movie all sexually charged.  Excitement just felt really high through my lens.

Then the book came out which I hadnt saved enough for on release day so i couldnt get it that day (though it was 18+ which i didnt know so they may not have solid it to me anyway) but i was more excited about the album anyway.

All the news was hyper focused on the book now that it was out and reactions were intense.  Felt sort of like the justify my love era again but different in that people werent discussing the video or the book but more so criticizing it.  I remember i kept looking around for more about the music but the focus just seemed super heavy on the book, the success of the book and the lack of class from its author OH and she had a soundtrack for the book too.  I loved the album which this thread isnt about but i didnt understand what the photos in the liner notes were showing.  Specifically, I asked my mom again, what she was doing on the back image.  Is she playing an instrument? drinking something? is that some kind of sex stuff? i cant tell? my mom said she couldnt tell but i have no idea.

Anyway, before Erotica/Sex it just seemed easy for Madonna to have a hit, her last one, the soundtrack "playground" easily hit number one.  All of a sudden the struggle started.  I just felt like i wasnt seeing her on MTV as much and wasnt hearing her on the radio like i used to.

and by the time December came around and her movie came out to horrible reviews on the news, things just went south. Bad bad press everywhere.  I think she did SNL in Dec-Jan - i really cant remember anymore but after that it felt like she disappeared and all of a sudden these hot videos would premiere but dont remember too much fanfare for Bad Girl, Fever or Rain. They just came and went.  The next time she got on the news was for the raunchy tour she was about to go on and was mostly going to skip the US. 

Ok back to the question since you didnt really ask for all that but im not gonna delete it and maybe someone will enjoy reading this.  I was young, I didnt get the book or see the book till years later.  I didnt undertstand what the problem was.  I wish i had the book so i can look at her pretty pictures and maybe cut out parts of it to stick on my school binders etc. who knows.  She lost the general public when that book came out.  Is part of her legendary status that book? not the book itself but how she really sunk low, lost all her status and would 4 years later get a golden globe and put out a hugely successfully album with a new found wisdom and view on life based on her motherhood and so on.   I think so to be honest.  Theres something psychological about someone losing major support etc and turning it around and having a rebirth.  We like stories like that and her downs arent necessarily about her but more so do to our reaction to her work so its complex.  She took a risk did something it failed but she clawed her way back up to the very top for several more years.  So im glad the book came.  Im glad it went.  The content isnt all that exciting and sometimes I wonder what she was thinking - its just kind of boring.  Alas whatever it was it is part of the legend!

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3 hours ago, AModSquad said:

 

I was in junior high school at the time, i wasnt all too familiar with sex or the different types or ways to have sex.  I wasnt familiar with the concept of limited edition and it not being available to buy when i got older so just keep all that in mind.

The era kicked off with Erotica - and it wasnt really shown on the music video channels and i didnt get to see it those 3 times it was shown late.  I bought the single, i wasnt sure what was by her lip - is that lipstick?  I asked my mom, she didnt know either.

The news constantly talked about madonna mania about to hit us, with a book, an album and a movie all sexually charged.  Excitement just felt really high through my lens.

Then the book came out which I hadnt saved enough for on release day so i couldnt get it that day (though it was 18+ which i didnt know so they may not have solid it to me anyway) but i was more excited about the album anyway.

All the news was hyper focused on the book now that it was out and reactions were intense.  Felt sort of like the justify my love era again but different in that people werent discussing the video or the book but more so criticizing it.  I remember i kept looking around for more about the music but the focus just seemed super heavy on the book, the success of the book and the lack of class from its author OH and she had a soundtrack for the book too.  I loved the album which this thread isnt about but i didnt understand what the photos in the liner notes were showing.  Specifically, I asked my mom again, what she was doing on the back image.  Is she playing an instrument? drinking something? is that some kind of sex stuff? i cant tell? my mom said she couldnt tell but i have no idea.

Anyway, before Erotica/Sex it just seemed easy for Madonna to have a hit, her last one, the soundtrack "playground" easily hit number one.  All of a sudden the struggle started.  I just felt like i wasnt seeing her on MTV as much and wasnt hearing her on the radio like i used to.

and by the time December came around and her movie came out to horrible reviews on the news, things just went south. Bad bad press everywhere.  I think she did SNL in Dec-Jan - i really cant remember anymore but after that it felt like she disappeared and all of a sudden these hot videos would premiere but dont remember too much fanfare for Bad Girl, Fever or Rain. They just came and went.  The next time she got on the news was for the raunchy tour she was about to go on and was mostly going to skip the US. 

Ok back to the question since you didnt really ask for all that but im not gonna delete it and maybe someone will enjoy reading this.  I was young, I didnt get the book or see the book till years later.  I didnt undertstand what the problem was.  I wish i had the book so i can look at her pretty pictures and maybe cut out parts of it to stick on my school binders etc. who knows.  She lost the general public when that book came out.  Is part of her legendary status that book? not the book itself but how she really sunk low, lost all her status and would 4 years later get a golden globe and put out a hugely successfully album with a new found wisdom and view on life based on her motherhood and so on.   I think so to be honest.  Theres something psychological about someone losing major support etc and turning it around and having a rebirth.  We like stories like that and her downs arent necessarily about her but more so do to our reaction to her work so its complex.  She took a risk did something it failed but she clawed her way back up to the very top for several more years.  So im glad the book came.  Im glad it went.  The content isnt all that exciting and sometimes I wonder what she was thinking - its just kind of boring.  Alas whatever it was it is part of the legend!

Thank you for this. Your reflections took me right back to this era. I too remember how she became "persona non grata" after the book (well, almost), and I like how you see Ray of Light in this context.  That album was a real comeback for her. 

I truly believe that the Sex book was her ultimate statement in a very conservative society. I also think that the book worked as a commentary to all of those who accused her for being calculating. Like... In Your Face!  

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Without the SEX book, there was no Madonna now.

Let's take an example. Most female star who have become famous for their sex appeal want to be recognized by the public as actresses who can also act seriously. Look at Marilyn Monroe, who became famous for her nude photos and sex appeal in a struggling unknown actress. She constantly wanted to prove herself capable of serious acting. Sharon Stone, who rose from obscurity to fame for her sex appeal in which she crossed her legs without underwear, wanted to be recognized for her serious acting rather than sex appeal. Most female celebrities no longer like to take off their sex appeal when they have money and fame.

"Why do I have to take it off unnecessarily when I already have money and fame?" Most people think like this.

But Madonna was different. Madonna was already the queen of pop at that time. She, who was already at the top of the list of great wealth and honor, boldly took off like an unknown female entertainer. It was a staggering blow. No. It IS still a staggering blow. Many people were shocked and confused. Why? Because Madonna was someone who didn't have to do that at all at that time! But she did it!

The book is still shocking and will continue to be shocking. Because none of the current and future top mega star will have the courage to act bold like Madonna at the peak of their career moments.

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I bought  a magazine that gave away a  booklet with 10-12 photos from the book, I bought two to have both sides.

I was 16 at the time, and I just decorate my room. I put the photos like a gallery with some mounting . As soon as you walked in , it was this photo.

My grandma used to asked me: What is she doing here?

I used them too for some school project. We needed to do a special on a  celebrity or icon. And I put the Sex book photos in it. My teacher was mortified carrying it around.

I loved it then, I love it now.

 

 

 

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11 hours ago, EgoRod said:

I bought  a magazine that gave away a  booklet with 10-12 photos form the book, I bought two to have both sides.

I was 16 at the time, and I just decorate my room. I put the photos like a gallery with some mounting . As soon as you walked in , it was this photo.

My grandma used to asked me: What is she doing here?

I used them too for some school project. We needed to do a special on a  celebrity or icon. And I put the Sex book photos in it. My teacher was mortified carrying it around.

I loved it then, I love it now.

 

 

Screenshot 2021-01-23 at 02.24.15.png

So damn hot and sexy!! ❤???

Edited by RebelBeauty (see edit history)
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I  love the "Erotica" era and in my opinion the "Sex" book is a piece of art... But as Madonna's fan it was the worst era. It was the beginning of the end. Suddenly people started to hate her with passion, even classic fans. News and TV called her "Whore". Radio stations barely played the Erotica singles. You couldn't talk about her because the reply was always an insult. It was like I was the only one who still loved her (I didn't have internet until 1994). Fortunately, "Ray of Light" was the second coming, and people started to love her again...

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I was in high school, had been a huge fan since Day 1 and I was shocked, it was all over the press, everyone talked about it, and the fact the book was so expensive and wrapped in foil made it even more shocking and controversial. But I deep down also admired her, though couldn't admit it, and also didn't really understand what she was doing. I remember being a bit embarrassed by some of the pictures at the time, just wanting to look at them, but I only ever saw it briefly at the time and not again until a few years ago when I purchased my copies off eBay. 

In retrospect, i respect Madonna so much more for her attitude towards sex, beauty, self love and acceptance, though from a career perspective, it did change the public's attitude towards her. Funnily enough the book still shocks, I had a party a few months ago and bought the book out and showed some of my friends, who while not fans, grew up with Madonna's music and the photos we have of the faces when they saw some of the pictures, almost 30 years later, are pure gold. Madonna still had a way to shock and provoke a reaction even after all this time. I love her for it!

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I was born in '93 so I didn't get to experience this whole movement but I keep getting insights from here and there, what I'm reading here is really interesting so thanks for sharing your memories!

I don't think this step in her career represented a failure in any way. I mean, she was so forward-thinking and aware of the social and ideological landscape, so I'm sure she didn't expect this to be a success or to elevate her in any way at that time (even if she was a bit big-headed around that time, she certainly wasn't dumb at all). But I'm sure she KNEW that she HAD to do it, that she was the only one who had the balls and that it would mean a huge step in her career that would set standards, open the door, change minds, and make people think and react, even if that meant having people throw stones at her at the time.

I also think it was very refreshing for her, after a decade of being constantly on top, to do something with this attitude, just go nuts, do what you feel you have to do and whatever comes out of it it's ok as long as she gets to be provocative and bold. She'd had time to collect more hits, this was the time to shape a new aspect of her career, do something that would stay forever and just be who she wanted to be and express herself with total freedom.

Also, the album is GORGEOUS and some of her best music ever, imo.

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