Bonk Audiobook By Mary Roach cover art

Bonk

The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Bonk

By: Mary Roach
Narrated by: Sandra Burr
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel
The study of sexual physiology - what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better - has been a paying career or a diverting sideline for scientists as far-ranging as Leonardo da Vinci and James Watson. The research has taken place behind the closed doors of laboratories, brothels, MRI centers, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs, and Alfred Kinsey's attic.

Mary Roach, "The funniest science writer in the country" (Burkhard Bilger of The New Yorker), devoted the past two years to stepping behind those doors. Can a person think herself to orgasm? Can a dead man get an erection? Is vaginal orgasm a myth? Why doesn't Viagra help women - or, for that matter, pandas? In Bonk, Roach shows us how and why sexual arousal and orgasm - two of the most complex, delightful, and amazing scientific phenomena on earth - can be so hard to achieve and what science is doing to slowly make the bedroom a more satisfying place.

©2008 Mary Roach (P)2008 Brilliance Audio Anatomy & Physiology Biological Sciences Biology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Thought-Provoking Physiology

Critic reviews

"Narrator Sandra Burr's enjoyment of Roach's descriptions and wry comments is obvious, making this a pleasure to hear." (Library Journal)
Humorous Writing • Informative Content • Perfect Comic Timing • Well-researched Material • Engaging Storytelling
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  

Would you listen to Bonk again? Why?

Yes. A sometime ticklish subject handled with tact and humor. Always interesting.

Any additional comments?

After this on try Stiff.

Loved It !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

If you could sum up Bonk in three words, what would they be?

irreverent look at sex

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bonk?

the looks from my co workers whilst listeneing

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it made me laugh at humans in general

Sex from every angle

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is not about improving your sex life or having more sex. It is just a fun look at sex research and the people who do the research. There is a lot of seriously strange research and equally (or more) strange researchers. The book was witty and fascinating. The narrator delivered the perfect tone and really increased my enjoyment.

Delightful find

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you listen to Bonk again? Why?

There was a lot of information, well presented, and funny.

Any additional comments?

Some of the details were amazing, gross, fantastic, sad - all the more so because they are true. I love Mary Roach books because of this.

Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

In the middle on this one, it seems that every other paragraph or so ends with a snarky comment that becomes tedious.

Has Bonk turned you off from other books in this genre?

Like the genre but will most likely stay away from other books by this author.

What does Sandra Burr bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She does her best with the material

Was Bonk worth the listening time?

Once you get past the snark there are some nuggets of good information.

Just OK

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The information was well-researched and comprehensive. The narration was OK but rather monotone. this book is not for the squeamish.

learned something

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved his book, as I have loved all of Mary Roach’s books that I have listened to. She is a one of a kind author, bringing laughter to learning and answering questions I didn’t even think of! The narrator Sandra Burr was perfect, she really seemed to enjoy reading this!

This book is hilarious and interesting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very good book. Mary Roach presents a touchy subject to some, in a witty and understandable way. Sandra Burr was a very good narrator, her inflections and timing were pretty impressive. Made for an informative and entertaining book.

Eye opening, witty

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Reading this book is like spending time with an old friend who just happens to tell the BEST stories! I just know that Mary and I would hit it off because she seems like such a fun lady. And she tells you all sorts of interesting stuff that you never even thought to wonder about about sex!

Sandra Burr always does a great job!

I can't wait to read another of Ms Roach's books!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is my third Mary Roach and the second as an audiobook. Sandra Burr is wonderful narrating Mary Roach. And Mary Roach is just such a hoot!

Space travel, life after death, and now I'm learning about science and sex. Just hilarious. (I just love the idea of a scientist dressing mice up in polyester or cotton pants to see how it affects their sex life.)

Mary Roach really brings science alive. She presents science in an entertaining and educational way. Highly recommended.

Laughed so hard I wet my pants!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews