Product Description: Real People Share Real Stories; Seattle artists K. D. Boze and Stasia Kato interviewed more than 400 people with the question: How did you lose your virginity? The answers are contained in this comics anthology, with an introduction by Ellen Forney
Impressive Rendering of a Range of First Time Stories ^ The Virgin Project is a stunning collection of true stories about losing one's virginity, all of which the artists captured via interviewed and "transcribing" the stories of men and women they met at two erotic art festivals. The results feature people of varying ages recounting experiences good, bad and ugly. Many, though not all, were in their teens, and there's lots of sneaking around, and a few parents being surprised. The artists work with what they're given wonderfully, both in disguising their subjects (the book opens with a woman with a paper bag over her head), as well as offering "The World's Fastest Virgin Story" in which a woman approaches and says, "He was a jock. He was a jerk. And...um...I still hate him," then takes off, not giving her (fake) name or age. There's Linda, the 46-year-old missionary who was, along with her soon-to-be-husband, a 33-year-old virgin, whose story ends with "And I'll bet you a million bucks you won't print this story."
It's the unexpected--and often very dark and violent stories--here that stays with you, though there is plenty of humor, as well as coming out (and come-ons from cousins). The whole question of what their "first time" was is revealed and sometimes retracted; several interviewees told of a rape, followed by their real first time. This is powerful testimony and it's clear that these people wanted to be heard and share these stories that so often get buried by all of us. This is a wonderful collection that I could see giving to someone on the verge of "losing it," or someone who's well past that stage.
A mix of all kinds of good things ^ This clever book treats its subject matter with a rare combination of humor and sensitivity. And of course, the book itself is aesthetically pleasing. I finished it in just one sitting, but also think its format lends itself perfectly to sporadic down-time reading. I found it thoroughly fascinating, fun, and enjoyable.
The Virgin Project ^ This is the sort of book you hope to find on the coffee tables of your cooler friends when you drop by for a visit. The cartoon format definitely underlines the point that this whole virginity thing is not really all that serious of an affair in the end. At one time or another all of us have viewed losing it as a rite of passage of some great importance, but The Virgin Project serves to put the whole idea into perspective. The artists seem to have a fine touch at expressing the mood of the individual stories they're telling from the humorous to the horrific. Everyone has someone whom they know would appreciate this book and the discussions it would provoke just as everyone is just a bit curious about what everyone else is doing.
Great gift book ^ The Virgin Project is a frank and direct, yet sensitive treatment of real peoples' first sexual experiences. The different stories, told by a team of processional cartoonists, are all moving and powerful. Some stories are beautiful and touching. Others are funny. Some are tragic. There is nothing pornographic or explicit about this book, and yet, each story portrays graphically the loss of virginity: the artists successfully convey not just the physical but the also emotional aspects of the stories by using the characters' own words. It's a prety amazing book.
I agree with the authors on their blog (virginproject.fannypress.com): if I had a teenager at home, I'd accidentally leave this book on the coffeetable for them to find. For young people, this is a matter not just of entertainment but of life and death. It would also make a great gift, as it will make you laugh, cry, and remember your own story.
Universal stories for everyone ^ This is a very reader-friendly book telling people's true tales of how they 'lost it' drawn in a very friendly, engaging comics style--nothing in the least sleazy about it. From cheerful to truly chilling, consensual to anything but, featuring everyone: men, women, hetero, gay, undecided, I think learning about how many ways people have experienced this has the potential to break down barriers and I am sure many readers will find it therapeutic. The art is never boring, much of it is very humorous and it is a really unique creation. Highly recommended.
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