Burning Up In Bed (Press, 7 February 1981)

The review discusses "The Dieter's Guide to Weight Loss After Sex" by Richard Smith, published by Souvenir Press in 1980. The book employs a humorous, mock-scientific approach to exploring the calories burned during different sexual activities. It categorises experiences based on various scenarios, such as "The Wedding Night," providing amusing calorie counts for activities ranging from first-time intercourse to getting caught in compromising situations. For example, it suggests that the first sexual encounter could burn between 78 to 657 calories, highlighting how surprise can significantly increase calorie expenditure, with figures like 1158 calories for being discovered by a spouse. The reviewer, A.K. Grant, appreciates the book for bringing humour to a topic that can often be viewed through serious or dogmatic lenses, as seen in various societal perspectives, including those from certain religious groups and the radical lesbian movement. Grant argues that Smith's work serves a valuable purpose by challenging taboos surrounding sex, suggesting that if individuals from varied backgrounds can find joy in the book's humour, it could foster a healthier, more playful view of sex. Ultimately, the reviewer encourages the idea that recognising the humour in sex is a step towards understanding it as a natural and necessary part of life, rather than something burdened by societal pressures or guilt.

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