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Rough

Rough

How violence has found its way into the bedroom and what we can do about it

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

A bad sexual experience.

A grey area.


Not rape but...

A violation - these are the terms we use to describe the experiences we don't have words for. The way we talk about topics such as sex, consent, assault aren't fit for purpose.


Rough is a revolutionary non-fiction work exploring the narratives of sexual violence that we don't talk about. Through powerful testimony from 50 women and non-binary people, this book shines a light on the sexual violence that takes place in our bedrooms and beyond, sometimes at the hands of people we know, trust, or even love. Rough investigates violations such as 'stealthing,' non-consensual choking, and non-consensual rough sex acts that our culture is only starting to recognise as sexual violence.

The book explores the ways in which systems of oppression manifest in our sexual culture - from racist microaggressions, to fatphobic acts of aggression, and ableist dehumanising behaviour. An intersectional, sex-positive, kink-positive work, the book also examines how white supremacy, transphobia, biphobia, homophobia, and misogyny are driving forces behind sexual violence.

Rough is an urgent, timely call for change to the systems that oppress us all. It's time for a societal shift. As individuals with agency within our sexual culture we have the power to remodel our behaviour and this book shows us how.

© Rachel Thompson 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Reviews

  • Rough is one of the most comprehensive and interesting books I've ever read. I recommend it to all my friends and patients as essential reading in the world of psychosexual therapy. I cannot say enough good things about it. You won't put it down.
    Gigi Engle, author of 'All The F*ing Mistakes'

About the author

Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson is a British author and journalist specialising in sex, dating, and relationships. Her first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Square Peg (Vintage) in August 2021. Stylist magazine called Rough "2021's most important book about sex". Rachel is the Features Editor at Mashable. She is a leading sex and relationships writer in the UK and has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, British Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The Telegraph, CNN, HuffPost, and many more.
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