With this work Bataille attempts to delve into the primeval nature of man and the constructs of taboo and transgression he has used to distance himself from it. This is the philosophy of the macabre: sex, death, and evil are explored in a comprehensive scope that spans time from the "invention" of labor (which initiated the necessity of taboo, according to Bataille) all the way to the publication of the Kinsey Reports, and he criticizes them within the framework he has now firmly established in the preceding one hundred and fifty pages. Bataille goes on to explore Christian mysticism in relation to the erotic, the taboo of incest, and the philosophy of de Sade, which he picks apart and re-examines with critical propositions that are nothing short of revolutionary.
Though this work is now over fifty years old, it is doubtful that any book since has improved upon it nor even come close to it, nor that one has even dared. Some may find portions of the work misogynist, others may even find the work dated, and nearly all readers will find that at certain points an explanation of mere pornography borders on the esoteric and indecipherable. However, Bataille is trying to express that which cannot be expressed in language. Most concepts defy language itself, they are outside of it. Bataille himself states this. We see then what a lofty undertaking this work is, and the fact that it is so fluid, enlightening, and precise in spite of that is a monumental achievement. ( )

Good work and a classic in French culture, but much of what is written is somewhat dated and needs to be rethought. Bataille represents the branch of Surrealism that broke with the communist side of that movement after WWII. JFL ( )

The overarching Freudian dogma that runs this book annoyed me, as well as the assumption that penetration is necessarily a submissive act for women. Female sexuality is definitely short-changed. The outlook this book has on sexuality is outdated and biologically incoherent. It may have been influential and forward in its time, but I don't understand why people still recommend and read this book. ( )

death, orgasms, rituals, sex, power, weird french theory. God I love this book.

Bataille was singly the greatest mind in human history when it came to analyzing the truth of the human condition. ( )