The Sinner's Grand Tour: A Journey Through the Historical Underbelly of Europe

A perfect combination of travel, history, and comedy that is hard to put down until the last page is turned. Tony Perrottet is tracking down obscure European erotic paraphernalia in the height of summer with his family in tow. In addition to being a treasure trove of weird history and trivia the book is well researched and beautifully written. From Scottish masturbation club relics to Edward VII “sex chair” to erotic frescoes in a Vatican bathroom painted by Raphael,every chapter was unexpected and enlightening. Visiting addresses mentioned in the 19th century Paris guidebook for gentlemen on the prowl, or living in a small Provencal village trying to meet Pierre Cardin to get invitation to the Marquise de Sade chateau dungeon Tony show more Perrottet makes me yearn for traveling and seeing it all for myself. show less

Even if I was an author of some repute, I'm not sure I would take my family (including two small children) on a tour of Europe's rudest spots. But Perrottet does and we get "The Sinner's Grand Tour" as a result.

Perrottet and his brood check out the Hellfire Club in regional England, the erotica of Paris, the Marquis de Sade's old place (now owned by Pierre Cardin) as well as Capri in Italy and the Vatican. Some good segments strewn throughout the book and enough references to know that his wife and kids are eternally understanding. More than anything, I was surprised how easy it was for Perrottet to gain access to the private areas of the Vatican. I need to pass myself off as a researcher into pagan art as well.

"The Sinner's Grand show more Tour" never quite reaches the heights it promises but I'm pleased I read it. show less

Joy's review: not having enough material for a book, Perrottet takes his family along on his' research' tour and includes the family holiday in the text. He adds no new info, just sites other sources in between his 'how will I ever get into the pope's bathroom' narrative. Even the history is in the 'it's all fun and games' category- completely ignoring the price the women in the stories had to pay. Could have been good if he'd had updated to include present day 'sins' or shown the dark side or even covered more sins than just sex. Very disappointing.

I enjoyed the read and was glad I wasn't along for his actual family-accompanied journey. I think it's a good thing that he didn't really examine his own motives or attitudes towards the sexually charged museum items he sought to find. It really is a tour-ist's account of what one can see now of notorious landmarks of the past.

There were some nice locations and objects but felt they were a little buried under all of the detail about the author's family who travelled with him. Was tempted to skim in places after a while, to be honest.

I wanted more from this book than it delivered. The idea was great but a little more of the current state of debauchery in in Europe would have been nice, also I can't for the life of me uinderstand whay you would bring two preteenagers with you on such a trip.

A travel book unlike any other, the author of A Pagan Holiday returns with his family to Europe in order to explore the sex museums of the continent.