Mating in Captivity Audiobook By Esther Perel cover art

Mating in Captivity

Reconciling the Erotic & the Domestic

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Mating in Captivity

By: Esther Perel
Narrated by: Esther Perel
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About this listen

Esther Perel takes on tough questions, grappling with the obstacles and anxieties that arise when our quest for secure love conflicts with our pursuit of passion. She invites us to explore the paradoxical union of domesticity and sexual desire, and explains what it takes to bring lust home.

In her 20 years of clinical experience, Perel has treated hundreds of couples whose home lives are empty of passion. They describe relationships that are open and loving, yet sexually dull. What is going on?

In this explosively original book, Perel explains that our cultural penchant for equality, togetherness, and absolute candor is antithetical to erotic desire for both men and women. Sexual excitement doesn't always play by the rules of good citizenship. It is politically incorrect. It thrives on power plays, unfair advantages, and the space between self and other. More exciting, playful, even poetic sex is possible, but first we must kick egalitarian ideals and emotional housekeeping out of our bedrooms.

While Mating in Captivity shows why the domestic realm can feel like a cage, Perel's take on bedroom dynamics promises to liberate, enchant, and provoke. Flinging the doors open on erotic life and domesticity, she invites us to put the "X" back in sex.

©2006 Esther Perel (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers
Marriage & Long-Term Partnerships Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Well-being Essentials Emotion
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Critic reviews

"As revelatory as it is straightforward....Perel sanctions fantasy and play and offers the estranged modern couple a unique richness of experience." (Publishers Weekly)

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Relatable Case Studies • Diverse Relationship Stories • Engaging Accent • Engaging Narrative Approach • Passionate Delivery
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Relationships in the modern world are tough. I’ve felt a lot of confusion lately about how to live out modern values of equality and respect when my dating experiences have only affirmed that these don’t necessarily lead to success in attracting a mate and partner.

For me, this book exposed the opposition of love and desire in a way that was encouraging and intellectually responsible, while also discussing tools for reconciling an enlightened morality with a primordial sex drive.

Literally every person should experience this book

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Esther shares a very interesting, intellectually stimulating, open minded, thought provoking, strait forward, honest perspective that challenges western conventional relationship ideology. This book is worth it for the extremely powerful, well articulated conclusion in the last minute alone.

Blew My Mind

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Provides such real and concrete help for making relationships better. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you Esther.

incredibly helpful

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I enjoyed this book. very informative. in my opinion a must read! I cant wait to put her suggestions into action!

A must read for all!

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There are many examples of intimacy. I don't think just one section should be considered, but all that is presented. Many of the examples did not pertain to me, but showed me the thought process of the opposite sex or situation. Each person has there own issues. Consider, perhaps, what parts of the book might help you to search to understand how you and your partner can achieve what is needed.

I believe it should be read in its entirety.

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Thank you for the therapy session in the privacy of my own space. Enlightenment, Grateful

A Must Read

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loved this book and all of the perspective it gives. it's worth the listen even if your not having problems.

insightful

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The author is very knowledgeable. The book is never boring. Very interesting! I highly recommend!

Very good

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I first saw Esther at Ted X talks. I fell in love with her perspective immediately. I loved this book, made a lot of sense. I would recommend it to anyone who want to improve and work on their erotic life in the relationship. This is a must for the modern couple and for the preservation of Eros in our busy and sometimes overwhelming family lifes.

Such a great book!

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Provides incredible insight on creative ways to understand the potential hang ups that exist on the erotic lack in a marriage

Incredible

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