In 1894, Ruth Smythers, ‘Beloved wife of The Reverend L. D. Smythers’, wrote: ‘While sex is at best revolting and at worse rather painful, it has to be endured... One cardinal rule of marriage should never be forgotten: give little, give seldom and, above all, give grudgingly… Most men are by nature rather perverted, and if given half a chance, would engage in quite a variety of the most revolting practices.’ The Methodist wife didn’t intend to be amusing, but this brief treatise written for young brides is side-splitting today and an eye-opener to how mores have changed in just over a century. Includes essential advice on: • how to discourage your spouse’s amorous advances • appropriate night-wear for the wedded couple • the acceptable length and frequency of unavoidable sexual encounters
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
`This nineteenth century prudish approach to sex is akin to something you might see in a Little Britain sketch' -- St Cristopher's Inns e-zine, November 2008
`What might have been sound advice in the late 19th century provides side-splitting giggles now.' -- Wigan Evening Post, November 8, 2008
`a thoroughly entertaining and hilarious gift sure to cause much merriment.'
-- Lancashire Evening Post, November 1, 2008
`gems found in this amusing pocket-sized self-help guide.' -- Rotherham Advertiser, November 7, 2008
`plenty of wry chuckles... For a bargain three pounds, this is the ideal present for the aspiring celibate.'
-- Forum magazine, January 2009
`provides side-splitting giggles... proof indeed that our sexual attitudes have changed drastically over the last century.' -- Lancashire Evening Post, November 9, 2008
`What might have been sound advice in the late 19th century provides side-splitting giggles now.' -- Wigan Evening Post, November 8, 2008
`a thoroughly entertaining and hilarious gift sure to cause much merriment.'
-- Lancashire Evening Post, November 1, 2008
`gems found in this amusing pocket-sized self-help guide.' -- Rotherham Advertiser, November 7, 2008
`plenty of wry chuckles... For a bargain three pounds, this is the ideal present for the aspiring celibate.'
-- Forum magazine, January 2009
`provides side-splitting giggles... proof indeed that our sexual attitudes have changed drastically over the last century.' -- Lancashire Evening Post, November 9, 2008
Review
`gems found in this amusing pocket-sized self-help guide.'
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book as I've read a few similar ones and they are invariably a good laugh - and so is this. Unfortunately it is little more than a paragraph long. I read it cover to cover in about a minute and a half. The book is an ideal stocking filler, literally. It's about 3" x 2" and has about 35 pages of text.
Buy this purely as a wee joke gift for someone to read and pass around at the dinner table. It's funny and will raise a few smiles, but unfortunately it's over way too quickly - which according to the advice given in the book is no bad thing.
Buy this purely as a wee joke gift for someone to read and pass around at the dinner table. It's funny and will raise a few smiles, but unfortunately it's over way too quickly - which according to the advice given in the book is no bad thing.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Bastet
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ruth Smythers - more frigid than any ice cube! I need to buy this book in bulk because it makes a great gag gift for any future bride. Such gems of advice for the bride in this book include:
"Give Little, Give Seldom, And Above All, Give Grudgingly."
"Sex, when it cannot be prevented, should be practiced only in total darkness."
"When he finds her, the wife should lie as still as possible. Bodily motion on her part could be interpreted as sexual excitement by the optimistic husband."
This may have been written in the Victorian era, but even good ol' Queen Vicky would've had a hard time following Ruth's advice.
Sex Tips For Husbands & Wives From 1894 - Read it. Learn it. Live it...if you dare.
"Give Little, Give Seldom, And Above All, Give Grudgingly."
"Sex, when it cannot be prevented, should be practiced only in total darkness."
"When he finds her, the wife should lie as still as possible. Bodily motion on her part could be interpreted as sexual excitement by the optimistic husband."
This may have been written in the Victorian era, but even good ol' Queen Vicky would've had a hard time following Ruth's advice.
Sex Tips For Husbands & Wives From 1894 - Read it. Learn it. Live it...if you dare.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By AK
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As already described by the previous reviewers, the pamphlet (calling it a book is stretching the meaning of the word a bit too much) is quite amusing and makes for a good tongue in cheek gift.
One marvels if this was representative of the public opinion back when it was published - or whether it was fringe material even then.
However do not raise your expectations too much - there is about five minutes of hillarity to be had, then the book is over.
One marvels if this was representative of the public opinion back when it was published - or whether it was fringe material even then.
However do not raise your expectations too much - there is about five minutes of hillarity to be had, then the book is over.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
3.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice wedding gift
Item arrived on time as advertised. Good humorus book bought as a wedding gift for a friend. Though the book is a little small, it's a nice little gift.
Published 3 days ago by LK
4.0 out of 5 stars
lovely book
Smaller book than I thought but made up for with humour. Bought it for hubby on our first wedding anniversary. Made us chuckle.
Published 28 days ago by Vickie Charman
3.0 out of 5 stars
not much for the money
This is a tiny book so unless that's what you are looking for, it's not really worth the money. The dimensions are given so do pay attention to them (I didn't). Read more
Published 1 month ago by Eva Martens
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book Should be Sex Tips for Wives.
This book had both my husband and myself in fits of laughter! The tips appear to be for a woman who wishes to avoid intimacy at all costs. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Denise
1.0 out of 5 stars
A hoax. Not even a very good hoax.
Wish I hadn't bought this. It's not genuine as a quick internet search will verify. If it was a good quality hoax or spoof or parody, it might have some value, but it's very... Read more
Published 5 months ago by David Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very funny
Bought this for a hen's party gift. It's so funny! Definitely worth buying this for a giggle! Hope she read it!
Published 5 months ago by Elvis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greta for Hen Parties
This was fabulous when it arrived. However -
6 weeks after the Hen Night. Such a shame as would have been a hoot to share with the girls. Very funny.
6 weeks after the Hen Night. Such a shame as would have been a hoot to share with the girls. Very funny.
Published 5 months ago by Mrs Angela M Axe
4.0 out of 5 stars
It'll put a smile on someone's face
This amusing little book (7.5cm x 12cm) would be ideal to give as a part of a present for a newly wed bride or bride to be. It'll put a smile on someone's face.
Published 6 months ago by Earl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
I bought this as part of the collection I have of Don`ts for Husbands, and Don`ts for Wives. The book is hilarious - i read bits of it out to some friends, and some elderly people,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Busyquine
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cheeky wedding present
I bought this as a cheeky wedding gift for my friend. It's very amusing and quite eye opening. She thought it was funny as did I.
Published 9 months ago by Zhj
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
