 In one photograph in the book, a man rejoices that it's NFL playoff time — only because that means there'll be plenty of parking at the crafts fair. |
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Posted on 05/04/2007 12:28:27 PM PDT by Incorrigible
By PEGGY O'CROWLEY
In one photograph in the book, a man rejoices that it's NFL playoff time — only because that means there'll be plenty of parking at the crafts fair. |
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What do women want?
Get a bunch of brainy females together over a pitcher of martinis and their answer is "Porn for Women,'' by the Cambridge Women's Pornography Cooperative (Chronicle, $12.95), a picture book featuring guys with six-pack abs and come-hither looks in the sexiest poses ever — taking out the trash, scrubbing the toilet, and offering to take their lady-love shopping for shoes.
If porn is all about fantasy, this book hits the mark, with nary a bare bottom or passionate kiss.
In one photo, a sexy guy in a tight turtleneck looks out at the viewer and says, "Ooh, look, the NFL playoffs are today. I'll bet we'll have no trouble parking at the craft fair.'' In another, a hunk with love light in his eyes says, "Well, I can't offer you any solutions, but I am a good listener.'' Then there's the guy proffering a piece of cake, noting, "I don't like you looking so thin.''
"We find that really hot,'' explained Heather Peterson, an academic who works at "a place that rhymes with Schmarvard'' and is the cooperative's official "spokespornographer.''
"I mean, you have a handsome man in a muscle T-shirt ... as soon as he finishes the dishes, wouldn't the next trip be to the bedroom?''
And in one scene sure to hit a nerve with every new mom, a buff man in bed cocks his ears and asks, "Is that the baby? I'll get her.''
Peterson said the cooperative is coming out with new books in the future, including "Porn for Moms.'' Better order up another pitcher of martinis for that one.
Peterson is the only member who is not anonymous, in order to protect the identities of the women, whom Peterson described as academics, doctors, lawyers and other high-powered types.
The idea for the book came about when the women got together in a Cambridge, Mass., bar to try to redefine porn, away from the stereotypic girl-on-girl male fantasies and the rough-hewn but down-market appeal of, say, the Chippendales calendar boys.
"There was an intellectual component missing,'' she said — as well as, apparently, the domestic skills of these women's significant others. This seemed to be confirmed during "lab work'' in their homes, Peterson said, adding that "no men were hurt'' during the group's research.
Peterson acknowledged the book does pander to some basic stereotypes of guys as sports-obsessed slobs who who don't listen to their mates, while women are "hygiene-obsessed'' girlie-girls.
While there are a few discreet pictures about sex, including a naked guy perched on a fluffy white rug, a la your average Playgirl cover, most of the pictures depict hunks doing housework.
They are artfully shot by Los Angeles photographer Susan Anderson.
The book has drawn some harumphs: Women posting on the feministing.com site felt the roles were outdated, and frankly, not that erotic. Watching a guy, however buff, put the toilet seat down didn't make them moan, some members wrote.
But Peterson said that when the book makes the rounds at parties, it generally elicits howls of laughter from the women while men are sitting "with their mouths agape. Is the key to women's sexuality so simple? Yes"
Wait a minute. It is that simple if you look like the models, Adrian, Joe, Michael, and Rich, all in their late 20s or early 30s, who have obviously logged lots of time at the gym. As for the rest of their biographies, well, that's pretty much fantasy, too.
Joe's favorite book is "Good Couple, Great Marriage'' by a "noted couples counselor.'' Adrian is a retired dot.com millionaire now setting up a "luxury orphanage.'' Art gallery owner Michael's role model? His mom.
(Peggy O'Crowley is a staff writer for The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. She can be contacted at pocrowley(at)starledger.com.)
Not for commercial use. For educational and discussion purposes only.
In my house there is no other time than football season, My wife would rather sit and watch the Super Bowl than go to a craft fair anyday. We even joined the NRA together.
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