Book Review - Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain

* A huge thank you to Rosie Crofts from Pen & Sword books, for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain by Mike Rendell.

** A trigger warning, this book discusses sexual assault/rape/homophobia/transphobia/sexism and the rape and sexual assault of minors.

This is the second of Mike Rendell’s books that I have read and reviewed. You can read my thoughts on Trailblazing Women of the Georgian Era: The Eighteenth-Century Struggle for Female Success in a Man’s World here.

My interest in 18th century women began by reading about sex workers in Georgian England, so I am already familiar with some of the subject matter. However, I still found Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain to be a fascinating read and I learnt a lot. Any questions you might have regarding the sex lives of those who lived in the long 18th century, will be answered in the pages of this well researched book. 

Mike Rendell explores the sex lives of all the social classes, including royalty. As well as other topics, we look at how there was one rule and law for men and another for women. Contraceptive methods and abortion, Georgian ideas surrounding STDs and treatments, Brothels and sex workers, and how the majority of these women had no choice but to go into this line of work, but a few managed to use it to their advantage. Attitudes to those who we would now call LGBT+, and sex in eighteenth-century Literature and Art.

The author relays the facts in an informative and witty way, drawing on lots of primary sources and illustration plates from the period. He manages to find the perfect balance of humorous and serious, depending on what he is telling the reader about. Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain is at times a harrowing read, and I applaud Mike Rendell for not shying away from heart-breaking and difficult subjects, such as sexism, rape, homophobia and those involving children. It is discussed frankly, but with sympathy and dignity that the victims were not afforded in their lifetime.

Whilst reading you can’t help but compare the 18th century and present day side by side and realise that we’ve come a long way in our attitudes towards sex and our advancement in science and medicine. Yet in other ways the comparison shows that we still have a way to go, for example in how members of the LGBT+ community are treated and how women are still at times treated unfairly in the eyes of the law when they report a sexual crime. It is a very thought provoking book.

I really enjoyed reading Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain and the glimpse it gave me into the most intimate and explicit lives of the Georgians. You can buy your copy here.