A review by adammm
Eroticism by Georges Bataille

3.0

Eroticism is heterosexist and overwhelmingly Western in scope, with some bizarre choices in analysis making for a confusing read (e.g., a chapter on Kinsey focuses solely on numbers and statistics and less on actual sexuality). That being said, Bataille brings forth a novel argument: that the ordered, profane world is structured by taboos, and any attempt to transgress these taboos brings us closer to the sacred (which can be achieved through death or sex). Pretty interesting overall, but the negatives sort of interfere with the positives. Almost necessary reading following this is Foucault's response essay "A Preface to Transgression" (1963), in which we see Foucault building upon Bataille's work on transgression as well as establishing his own foundational thoughts on the connection between sexuality and power.