The Book of Sodom
“A stunning guided tour through the real and imaginary landscapes of Sodom.” —Jenny Diski
The biblical story of the destruction of Sodom has inspired countless literary visions. The city has elicited writing from Milton, Sade, Proust, Dostoevsky and Tournier, among others. This work contains an anthology of Sodom texts spanning several centuries. Paul Hallam has also provided his own reading of these languages of prejudice, obsession and desire in an extensive essay.
Reviews
[A] delight from start to finish ... Paul Hallam’s enthusiasm for buggery is infectious.
A clever selection and a playful one ... Hallam delivers a surprising line-up of luscious lovelies ... a serious and a sad book. Let it be a seductive one too.
A masterwork.
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A stunning guided tour through the real and imaginary landscapes of Sodom.
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An inspired, thought-provoking collection of barbaric eroticism.
Library Journal -
Fact and fantasy merge in this innovative and abstract expression of homosexuality in the guise of Sodom ... inventive, exciting and recommended.
Pink Paper -
Hallam’s superb introductory essay details his search for Sodom in literature and in his own life, ... has all the buzz of the most ardent erotic quest.
Modern Review -
Not only a fascinating account of how one incident in scripture came to be eccessively used and abused, but also a moving memoir with a sharp political edge.
Times Literary Supplement