The Perfumed Garden

by Umar Ibn Muhammed Al-Nefzawi, Richard Francis Burton, Sheikh Nefzaoui, et al.

Book Overview

From 16th-century Arabia, The Perfumed Garden - for the Repose of the Mind is a classic work of Arab erotica offering a uniquely entertaining collection of tales filled with frank and sound advice on sexual relations, accompanied by rare and previously unpublished erotic paintings and reproductions of exquisite tilework and friezes.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892812990
• ISBN13: 9780892812998
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Park Street Press
• Length: 92 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Still unknown classic text

This is basically the Persian Kama Sutra, although it is probably even more comprehensive in scope, covering many aspects of lovemaking, not just the positions. This is the edition and translation by Sir Richard Burton (not to be confused with the recent actor), who was a renowned 19th century explorer, Arabic linguist, and sword expert. I'm more familiar with his famous book on sword types and history, which is one of the best ever written. I am a sword instructor myself, and found his book invaluable in extending my own knowledge of some of the other traditions, I being mainly a Chinese and Japanese stylist. Cheikh Nafzaouwi (not sure of the original spelling anymore, so I apologize in advance for that) intended this book to be useful as a practical manual for any man in his sex life, and, considering it was written in the 16th century, it just goes to show you that not much has changed when it comes to sex. Some of the sections are downright funny, such as the chapter that begins with all the Arabic terms and descriptions for the different personalities or "types of vulvas." They are described in words such as (I forget the Arabic terms, but anyway, the definition is the funny part): "This is the vulva of a woman who has not had intercourse in a long time. It will not allow you to withdraw until you have entered it again and again." Other names translate as "the great one," and "the playful one." There are other even funnier descriptions, which I don't recall right now, but anyway, this will give you some idea of what they're like. Anyway, this book is entertaining if only for some of the choicer sections such as the above.

The Perfumed Garden, translated by Sir Richard Burton

Excellently done. The beautiful erotique and sensual paintings are classic.

Sort of an Arabic Kama Sutra

But only 'sort of'. It does cover the physical act of love in some detail. That includes the many poses that couples might try together. It also covers all the lore about what makes a man or woman desirable, and about resizing one's genitals for better performance (larger for him, smaller for her). There's other medical lore, too, including potions for ending an unwanted pregnancy. The most interesting discussion covered techniques suitable when he, she, or both had physical deformities or paraplegia. I guess that the 16th century Arab world lacked modern medicine, so such irregularities were part of everyday life. This differs from the Indian texts in several important ways. First, this discusses sexuality as an isolated topic. It lacks the Kama Sutra's placement of sex as one among many social graces. Second, it adds a number of brief stories, a la 1001 Nights, to illustrate its teachings, and adds a section on dream interpretation. Third, although the Perfumed Garden attends to women's needs in the bedroom, it displays a generally low regard for women elsewhere. Still, this book tells us a lot about two times and places. The first is the 16th century Arabic world, as set down by Sheikh al-Nafzawi (the author). This gives a look at the medicine, the culture, and the folklore of that time. It also tells us about Sir Richard Burton's England, in the Victorian era. Like so many other British translations of that time, the English rendering carries the indelible stamp of its translator and of its period. The Burton translation is decidedly aging - modern phrasing and scholarship would make this a much more interesting book. Still, any translation is better than none, and the Victorian flavor is part of this book's character. There are lots of reasons for reading this book: for its view of mid-Eastern culture, for its view of sexuality, or just for fun. That last is my reason, and it works. //wiredweird

An exotic and graphic look at sex

Sir Richard Francis Burton is able to give the arabic text some meaning. This is a very erotic book because of the illustrations. I found mine at a public library- downtown branch- This is a book that celebrates human love and sexuality better than any other I have ever read

Interesting translation and attractive illustrations.

This is a colorful and pleasant book. The many illustrations are from the period and place of the text. That is India in the distant past. Burton worked from an original French translation, and his work is direct and to the point. In some ways this book reads like a cookbook of sex, and that is a reasonable description of it. It is a nice addition to anyone's library.