A Wild Constraint

Reviews / Votes

"More people remain single longer, if not for life, than ever before. In the face of this, coupled with popular cultural messages promoting an active sex life, Taylor's advocacy for chastity is timely and provocative. Drawing on personal interviews, social statistics and references to sources ranging from Freud to Bridget Jones, Taylor (Faith and Power: Christianity and Islam in 'Secular' Britain) chastises what she deems to be a dangerous degree of sexual freedom. The book is at its best when describing the possibilities and benefits of chastity for the individual and society." -Publishers Weekly, December 15, 2008 "Celibacy-chosen sexlessness-comes in for lots of ribbing in today's hypersexualized culture, as though it were an illness or a misfortune. Taylor takes a thoughtful new look at celibacy, reminding us that church traditions that once celebrated singlehood and virginity have turned against them. She makes an eloquent case for the faith and power inherent in chastity, which may yet again prove a bulwark within a culture where both closed and "open" marriages seem doomed to failure and where the yearning for connectedness not constrained by sexuality is widespread. Eye-opening and helpful; recommended for most collections."-Starred Review, Library Journal, January 2009 "In a society obsessed with sexuality Jenny Taylor's elegant essay comes as a welcome and refreshing change." - Catholic Herald "Jenny Taylor's elegant essay comes as a welcome and refreashing change ... offers an interesting survey of contemporary attitudes." Catholic Herald, January 2009 Review in Church Times, April 2009 "...it is a well written, scholarly treatment of the subject and it will certainly make you think." The Irish Catholic, September 2009 All God's Children - Vol 2.2 2010 "The social dimension and implications of individual sexuality...[are] carefully developed and powerfully stated." Mention in Church of England Newspaper, February 2009 Mention in Baptist Times, March 2009 "This is an excellent, brave book and one which will delight and challenge in equal measure, and it is highly recommended." -Interserve Magazine "Very readable, with a good amount of anecdotal material, and an amusing style whish is at times enjoyably risque ... certain to make an otherwise uneventful train journey pass more speedily." - New Directions Mention in author's own article in The Times, February 2009