Review
From a French cosmetic surgeon comes word that true beauty is found not in facial perfection but in a certain je ne sais quoi that he labels seductiveness. Actually, Hagege takes many, many words to say this, and either he is a master of verbosity and obscurity or his translator has made him out to be one. Seduction, he tells the reader in one of his numerous struggles to define his terms, "escapes any calculation, it is a way of belonging to life, it is a movement, a truth," and being seductive is "first of all pleasing yourself, being confident, surprising yourself, loving yourself, letting yourself be." In his view, the key to acquiring this elusive but essential internal quality lies in the limbic system, the brain of emotions and passion, which one must liberate from the tyranny of the cortex, the brain of reason and intelligence, for doing so releases a flood of neurotransmitters that are essential to sensuality and bring about a state of confidence, daring and harmony. As he puts it: "Let us then convert our brain so it will seduce, live, and help to construct the man to be selected. It is the only chance for survival our species has." Hagege's take on neurology, evolution and the place of reason in the history of Western civilization occupies a substantial portion of this curious opus, which also features conversations with potential cosmetic-surgery patients, long letters from former patients, analysis of the charms of bygone movie stars and some criticism of the misleading visions of ideal beauty presented in advertising. Oddly, tucked into the back is a short, semi-technical piece on the maintenance of a cervicofacial lift. Reading or attempting to read this ponderous and pretentious treatise will not help the ambivalent woman come to a decision about cosmetic surgery, but it may well induce some beauty sleep. (Kirkus Reviews)
Product Description
This engaging work demonstrates that beauty truly does come from within. "PLASTIC SURGERY IS NOT A MAGIC WAND," DECLARES DR. Jean-Claude Hagege in his critique of the dangerous confusion between beauty and seductiveness. Having seen, spoken with, and operated on hundreds of patients, Hagege offers a unique perspective on the important distinction between formal beauty and true seductive power. Although it can improve our external appearance, the surgeon's scalpel, Hagege cautions us, can do little to enhance our power to seduce. This important warning comes at a time when formal beauty and youth have become an imperative, making our appearance a commodity to be purchased on the marketplace. As Hagege relates the successes and failures of his practice, we learn that our misconceptions about how we should look are informed by the rational part of the brain, the cortex. Hagege explains that true seductive power does not emanate from the cortex, but from the limbic system, the part of the brain that gives us access to our emotions and to our desire to truly connect. When we think in terms of how we should appear, trying to conform to certain cultural standards of beauty with the hope of changing our relationship with the world, we are bound to be disappointed. Instead, if we are in close touch with the limbic system, we will be better able to access our feelings about who we truly want to be. Only then will our decisions about plastic surgery meet our expectations.
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