Mating in Captivity

Reconciling the Erotic & the Domestic

By: Esther Perel

Narrated by: Esther Perel

A New York City therapist examines the paradoxical relationship between domesticity and sexual desire and explains what it takes to bring lust home.

One of the world’s most respected voices on erotic intelligence, Esther Perel offers a bold, provocative new take on intimacy and sex. Mating in Captivity invites us to explore the paradoxical union of domesticity and sexual desire, and explains what it takes to bring lust home.

Drawing on more than twenty years of experience as a couples therapist, Perel examines the complexities of sustaining desire. Through case studies and lively discussion, Perel demonstrates how more exciting, playful, and even poetic sex is possible in long-term relationships. Wise, witty, and as revelatory as it is straightforward, Mating in Captivity is a sensational book that will transform the way you live and love.

Every adult should listen to this one!

There are so many ways to be happily married AND happy sexually, and in this book Esther Perel lays them open for examination. It's about as far from a one-size-fits-all approach as you can get. and it treats everyone's preferences with respect. I deeply appreciate this book.

All the insight is at the end

I got this book because her Ted talks are done if the best I've ever seen. I was not as impressed with the writing early on in the book, but the sophisticated and respectful insight she gets to in the last two chapters made it all highly worth it.

Great book, great insights

Its a different sort of book, probably because it is not american. It does not give you a step by step approach to solving your problems, or the how to relationship manual. It engages you in a open ended discussion about couples, fidelity and how we view sex and attraction inside couples.

I love that the author has opened up this discussion, something that I believe we need to talk about and think more. This is the second book of its kind I read, and plan to read more, as it is such an important and interesting subject.

The only fault I find in this book are the French words. It is meant to make it cooler and sexy, but really, the book is in english! I knew some of the words as I do have some basic french, but each time I heard one I though to myself "not cool!" as on an audiobook, you don't even get the spelling to be able to go and look for it!

The narration was good for a author narration, but of course a professional narration is always better.

All and all, a great and fun read!

A balanced and comprehensive discussion of eroticism

The author is an excellent source for exploration of the needs of couples who desire a robust physical life and deep commitment without ignoring one of the two. She states explicitly that she is addressing couples who desire long term commitment and seek to live a relationship to the full in both years and level of mutual trust.

Fascinating

The dichotomy that is created when love and sex of commited relationships combine as opposed to passionate sex and desire when one is single, have been addressed here. Her great experience as a therapist was enlightening to me. Her perspective had me thinking in ways I had not before. Worth your time!