Cathedrals of the Flesh: My Search for the Perfect Bath

This is a book that is better than its title; perhaps the editor thought it was a good idea. The theme is much less ambitious, a rambling exploration of communal womens' bathing in the Turkish, Russian, Japanese and Scandinavian traditions. The author, with a half formed notion of bringing an ancient tradition (essentially Roman) to modern New York, takes the reader with her on a trail of bathing cultures across the world. The subject may be peripheral, but it is by no means slight. It draws in the very essence of being female and human when all the other trappings of wealth and status are stripped away. The author gives herself wholeheartedly, neither sparing the reader her enthusiasm, or her tiredness and confusions. Her personal show more reflections and uncertainties contrast with the assurance and wealth of her traveling companion (exotic and very European), which gives a extra dimension to her journey. The conclusion is appropriate to the overall tone of the book, reflective and uncertain, but acknowledging the subtle power of personal experience to change one´s view of the world, and of oneself. The writing carried me along effortlessly most of the way, but seemed to flag, like the author, from time to time. But for that a four star rating. show less

Oh, how I wish I'd thought up the idea to travel the world and write about various bathing cultures!

But Alexia Brue beat me to it.

I enjoyed this book because I learned a great deal about the differences and similarities between bathing traditions around the world. Brue traveled to Turkey, Greece, Russia, Finland and Japan in her quest, and along the way she reveals many interesting tidbits including how mothers in Turkey would use the public baths to scope out the nude bodies of potential daughters-in-law to ensure they were good enough for their sons.

It's only a three-star for me, though, because, although the topic was fascinating, the writing didn't grab me as much as I would have liked. It felt a little dry at times and lacked show more the some of the luxurious delights of the baths themselves. Still, for anyone who is passionate about the ritual of bathing, there is much to be learned here. show less

Not so much amazing because of the writing, although the writing is good, but more because of the subject matter. Baths! they are awesome!

Just reread. Awesome. In the original sense of the word. Makes me want to skip town and find a little Turkish town to live in.

As a lover of pools, baths and water of any kind, I just LOVED this book.

sono fissata con le terme...una ricca newyorkese fa il giro del mondo con la prospettiva di aprire un hammam nella sua città. mi sono piaciute, per motivi diversi, le descrizioni delle terme in russia e in giappone