Katherine Frank is scholar-in-residence in the Department of Sociology at American University. She is the author of G-Strings and Sympathy and has been interviewed in publications ranging from The Washington Post to Cosmopolitan.
Frank (G-Strings and Sympathy) views the history of and cultural
fixation on group sex through the dual binoculars of
outsider-curiosity and insider-experience. A sometime
anthropologically-minded stripper, sex party attendee, and
convention-goer, Frank provides a lively, extensively researched
overview of the stigmatization of group sex across societies and
years, thanks not only to the piquant material but to her crisp
voice and scene-building prowess. Amid case studies and interviews
are well-evidenced, stark observations, such as hers that
transgression—up to and including orgies—"is ultimately
conservative in its social effects." Frank's section covering
socially-reinforced shame strikes relevant chords from its focus on
victim-blaming in gang rapes to its spotlight on the media's
routine portrayal of swingers as frumpy, unwanted, and untouchable.
Along with the psychological and cultural, she delves into the
biological with a rousing discussion of "sperm competition" and
more. Establishing herself as a passionate yet rational voice in
the literature of sex, she handles some of our culture's most
flinch-inducing topics without sensationalizing or abandoning her
academic neutrality. From her examination of swingers' theme
parties to her dissection of The Bachelor, Frank takes readers
through an anthropological tour de force on a subject that remains
controversial, fascinating, and complex.
*Publishers Weekly, Starred Review*
Frank (scholar-in-residence, American Univ.; G-Strings and
Sympathy) examines group sex from a sociological approach to
discover “who has it, how they do it, and why.” Covering (what
seems like) every possible subject related to the topic, Frank
shares experiences that range from the Burning Man festival to the
Playboy Mansion; discusses swinging, gay bathhouse orgies, bachelor
parties, rock star groupies, and gang rape; and explores the realm
of sex addiction, sperm competition, the mythology of orgies,
cross-cultural practices, sexually transmitted diseases, urban
myths of group sex, as well as contemporary codes and practices in
today’s culture. The author’s research extends to ethnographic
observations, interviews with professionals, primary sources, and
individual stories to weave together contrasting opinions and
observations with acumen and fairness. Frank’s comprehensive study
deftly addresses the controversial subject of group sex and its
many components, contributing to our overall understanding of human
behavior. Highly recommended for those interested in human
sexuality, behavior, and culture.
*Library Journal*
Sociologist Frank (American Univ.; G-Strings and Sympathy, 2002)
examines the history and cultural fixation on group sex, which she
defines as 'erotic or sexual activity that implicates more than two
people.' The author provides much food for thought as she looks at
the symbolism of orgies and contemporary manifestations, such as
group sex in public sex venues and swinging parties. The book
investigates multiple fields of study, including anthropology,
biology, psychology, and sociology, in an attempt to explain
participation in group sex and the varied reactions to it. Frank is
both observer and participant as she explores various group sex
situations. Interspersed among the ethnographic research, history,
case studies, and interviews, Frank offers glimpses of her own
experiences with group sex. Writing well and intelligently without
sensationalizing the topic, Frank, maintaining academic neutrality,
is the layperson's Virgil, using her intellect and research to
illuminate the dimly lit world of group sex. Notes and an extensive
bibliography make up the rest of the book, which student
researchers will find especially useful. Summing Up: Highly
recommended. General readers to undergraduates through
researchers/faculty.
*CHOICE*
Katherine Frank, nodding to her own ethnographic training as she
scrutinizes such events and situations, argues that seasoned
initiates tend towards the banal. Frank notes 'even libertines who
try to harness the power of the orgy, believing that participation
is a route to social transformation or that it leads to an
experiences of the sublime, can find a sudden stray foot to the
face or accidentally falling off the bed are the most immediate
sources of jeopardy to be faced.' As this passage demonstrates, the
author often takes an affectionate or wry stance toward the theme,
while never minimizing the danger and degradation certain forms of
capitulation to power or coercion may exact. Disgust, shame, and
guilt receive in-depth investigation. Media coverage, which
persists in pursuing the more attractive of those involved in group
sex, denigrates those who do not fit the youthful, voluptuous,
buff, or preening figures idolized. Ultimately, Frank avers that
risk taking, danger, and addiction may compete within the drives
and psyches of a comparative few who must find release in group
sex. Dr. Frank carefully concludes this evocative work on a
provocative subject. She acknowledges that 'transgressive sex'—as
with any other sexual practice—might ease ennui or affirm one’s
belonging with another or others. Yet, as she reminds us, this
liberation does not have to depend only on sex.
*New York Journal of Books*
It's fair to say that anyone reading her extensive examination of
stories from classical times, tribal rites, wartime rapes, bachelor
parties, the Playboy Mansion, virtual worlds, group sex clubs, and
more, is going to learn a thing or two. The big lesson from all the
facets of Frank's study . . . is that group sex is always
transgressive. . . . That she has found so many aspects of her
subject surely indicates that group sex is a big deal and worthy of
serious academic attention; that many of the aspects are liable to
exaggeration and sensationalism only further indicates the pull of
the topic. . . . Frank's wide-ranging book takes in a lot of
territory. . . . There's a great deal of research here with case
studies and interviews, but there is also good humor and a healthy
sense of wonder at how diverse and funny our species is.
*The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)*
The author has tackled a multitude of taboos to help readers
understand group sex, who has it, why they have it, and how it has
solved over the years. Her use of sociology, biology, anthropology
and psychology explain many fears, wonders, and worries behind
group sex. Surveys, research, and interviews all add to Frank's
truly interesting read. Regardless of whether you've had even the
slightest interest in anything involving group sex, Plays Well in
Groups will surely provoke thought and understanding of a world
many of us will never step foot in.
*Curve*
Frank’s research certainly has wider implications for
anthropological thinking, and it relates a number of streams of
thought about embodiment, social construction, boundaries and
boundary-crossing, resistance, and such. Being not a single
ethnography but a survey of literature, it brings together a lot of
material that anthropologists should know.
*Anthropology Review Database*
Plays Well in Groups: A Journey through the World of Group Sex by
Katherine Frank is an excellently researched collection of
narratives—histories, current events, media studies, ethnographic
works, and participant interviews—analyzed through a sex-positive
and unifying anthropological lens. Frank’s task is drawing
parallels between different forms and practices of group sex in
general, while exploring deeper social, political, economic, and
historical contexts in order to contrast them. Much of the book is
about who has group sex and why, as well as who fears group sex and
why. An overarching theme of the book is thus one that appealed to
my interests: an emphasis on sexual taboo and transgression. . . .
If you’re interested in an anthropological survey of group sex
across geographies, times, and fields of study, be sure to pick up
Plays Well in Groups. The wide variety of topics and perspectives
that are discussed in this book make it a perfect reading material
for any undergraduate social science course on sexual behavior and
politics or even gender studies.
*Savage Minds*
Dr. Katherine Frank’s book, Plays Well in Groups: A Journey Through
the World of Group Sex, is a fascinating look at the taboo of group
sex. Her robust research spans historical references to modern day
accounts throughout cultures around the world. Dr. Frank used
surveys, interviews, and ethnographic research to uncover why
people participate in group sex, and what it means to them. Her
work also looks at group sex in a violent setting, such as gang
rape, and examines the social, political and power structures
involved. Her work on group sex and the complex reaction to it,
allow a behind the scenes look at a world that is often portrayed
differently than it is actually experienced. Plays Well In Groups
provides social, anthropological and historical detail about a
world that is both feared and fantasized about. Frank’s work is
bold and scary, but always engaging. It is an intriguing journey
into the complexity of sex and the meaning that it holds for
culture and society.
*New Books Network*
Group sex has been many things in many cultures, and author
Katherine Frank treats us to a fantastic journey through the
history of the orgy, and its accompanying mythology about what it
all means. This is not a how-to book, but I think readers both for,
against, and undecided will find food for thought and lubrication
for the imagination in these pages, and perhaps a little permission
to set forth on their own explorations of how to Play Well in
Groups.
*Dossie Easton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; co-author
of The Ethical Slut*
This is a well researched, delightful to read book. Dip into it
anywhere and learn something new about the human capacity for
the erotic as a zone for pleasure and a site for moral outrage.
*William Jankowiak, University of Nevada, Las Vegas*
Piled high with historical and anthropological detail on the orgy
in human history, this book is a must read for scholars and
laypersons alike who seek an understanding of group sex and its
various manifestations. Artfully written and meticulously
researched and documented, it is a fascinating journey into the
historically and culturally layered meanings of group sex
articulated by those who engage in it.
*Curt Bergstrand, Bellarmine University, co-author of Swinging in
America*
Fascinating and explores an important and overlooked aspect of
human sexuality.
*Charles Moser, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality*
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