Bonk

The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex

By: Mary Roach

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The study of sexual physiology - what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better - has been a paying career or a diverting sideline for scientists as far-ranging as Leonardo da Vinci and James Watson. The research has taken place behind the closed doors of laboratories, brothels, MRI centers, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs, and Alfred Kinsey's attic.

Mary Roach, "The funniest science writer in the country" (Burkhard Bilger of The New Yorker), devoted the past two years to stepping behind those doors. Can a person think herself to orgasm? Can a dead man get an erection? Is vaginal orgasm a myth? Why doesn't Viagra help women - or, for that matter, pandas? In Bonk, Roach shows us how and why sexual arousal and orgasm - two of the most complex, delightful, and amazing scientific phenomena on earth - can be so hard to achieve and what science is doing to slowly make the bedroom a more satisfying place.

©2008 Mary Roach (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Sandra Burr's enjoyment of Roach's descriptions and wry comments is obvious, making this a pleasure to hear." (Library Journal)

I pretty much like all of Mary Roach's books

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is great humor with some real learning.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bonk?

Mary getting her husband to participate in research

Which character – as performed by Sandra Burr – was your favorite?

There really are not characters

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not extreme but definately laughing

Everyone should read this book!

You don't know how much you don't know about human sexuality! I'm sure there will be novel information for any reader, even the sexperts among us. Mary Roach is adept at making technical and scientific information easily understood by the layperson without talking down to her audience. I love reading her books because I learn so much about everyday topics that I didn't know before (and I work in STEM publishing so I come across a lot of research). Read this book and you'll learn more about your body, your sexuality, differences between men's and women's bodies and sexuality, Homo sapiens' sexuality in general, as well as the sexuality of a few other animals. And, last but certainly not least, there is SO much fascinating information about orgasms!

Interesting listen about human sexuality

What did you love best about Bonk?

Humor

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's not that kind of book

Which scene was your favorite?

The factory where they make sex toys

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Idk

Any additional comments?

I enjoy Mary Roach's wit and the narrator does a good job of making Mary's words sound like they are her own.

A bit boring

Strangely, this story flattened sex. I guess this is because the entire story told deals mainly with mechanics rather than emotions. An emotional story of sex would appeal to me much more.
The readers tone, ironic I guess, merely flattened the material even more. A serious study of the researchers, their studies in historical context, and insight into their motivations would have been better. We are strange, multifaceted creatures, always fascinating to ourselves.

Informative, less erotic more scientific

Mary Roach has written a funny, awkward and very informative review of the scientific studies regarding sex. This is a very very well-rounded review and it will keep you listening and wondering.

Educational and Fun

Educational and Fun.
Audible insist I have twenty words, but I prefer to be concise.

Answers more Qs about sex than you knew you had

“Sex is one of those rare topics wherein the desire for others to keep the nitty-gritty of their experiences private is stronger even than the wish to keep mum on one’s own nitty-gritty.”

Answering more questions about sex than you ever knew that you had. Bonk asks the tough, awkward and sometimes embarrassing questions and finds the scientists who work on such matters for the answers. Is vaginal orgasm a myth? “It is the mind that speaks a woman's heart, not the vaginal walls.” Can a dead man get an erection? "An erection, like a motorcycle or lawn, must be maintained. The blood that has filled the two erection chambers must be trapped there, otherwise the erection wilts.”

“This is what primate sex hormones do: “They make individuals perceive other individuals as more attractive than they’d normally perceive them.” Hormones are nature’s three bottles of beer.”

Not to take away from the book itself, I’ve often heard this, and other of Roach’s books, described as “hilarious” or, at least “funny” I can’t say I found it to be so. The books are definitely not as dry as this type of book often is, and it is true that her upbeat style of writing can be sarcastic and witty at times. The book did bring a smile to my face, on occasion, while reading. However, I just didn’t find myself laughing out loud. Let me know what you think.

Note from the author: “This book is a tribute to the men and women who dared. Who, to this day, endure ignorance, closed minds, righteousness, and prudery. Their lives are not easy. But their cocktail parties are the best." Similar books from Mary Roach that I have read and find to be on par with BONK include: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers and GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Fascinating and eye opening

I couldn’t put it down! Very interesting history of mostly western sex research history and some humorous comments on various findings and cultural differences. Easy to listen to.

Interesting but uneven

The reader certainly learns quite a bit about the science of sex. However, the telling of the narrative of sex research is hampered at times by her own jocular interjections of her thoughts and experiences. The jumping of third person to first person was jarring. It is probably intended to lighten the dry details of the many scientific studies. However, it gets in the way. There are many interesting facts, and studies. The narration seemed bland at times. This book is recommended if you want a research overview.

Ow. Ow. Ow.

Okay, this is a really entertaining book. But the parts where Roach talks about ED and its treatments, plus a few other parts, made me feel, as the owner of a penis, rather uncomfortable. Aside from that, it's a thoroughly enjoyable and insightful work.