Re: Mutilation as a legitimate object of inquiry

Adrienne Dearmas (DearmasA@AOL.COM)
Mon, 15 Jul 1996 14:35:13 -0400

In a message dated 96-07-15 10:30:36 EDT, mkconrad@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU (Marie K
Conrad) writes:

> he book is
> written for a mass audience, and the author obviously has a "thing" for
> bound feet, but it has some instructive value.

Marie,
Howard Levy (I assume this is his book you are referring to) is the world's
foremost authority on footbinding, having devoted a great part of his life to
translating the predominantly Chinese material for inclusion in his book. The
first edition of the book is called "Footbinding: A Curious Erotic Custom."
Yes, the book is definately for a mass audience, which is why so many people
have read it and actually know that this practice crippled women in China for
over 1000 years. As for having a "thing" for bound feet, I would hate it if
someone said I had a "thing" for infibulated vaginas just because I read tons
of material about them, you know?

- Adrienne