Author Description

The basis for the book, which mixes fact and fiction, is a group of letters the author compiled and translated from various academics worldwide to Roland Barthes, a well-known Paris professor. Barthes was attempting to compile an encyclopedia of erotica and solicits the help of these academics (sexologists and others). [He died in an accident in Paris in 1980 and never completed the encyclopedia]. The letters present both the academics' entries for the encyclopedia as well as problems in their own sex lives. The letters also serve to portray romantic love in contemporary times.