''Sztuka kochania'' (Polish title; literally ''The Art of Loving'') published in English as ''A Practical Guide to Marital Bliss'') is a popular
sex manual
Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones ( ova, of ...
written by the pioneering Polish sexologist
Michalina Wisłocka
Michalina Anna Wisłocka (; née Braun; 1 July 1921 – 5 February 2005) was a Polish gynecologist, sexologist, and author of ''Sztuka kochania'' (verbatim: ''The Art of Loving'', English edition ''A Practical Guide to Marital Bliss'', 1978), th ...
, first published in 1978. The book has achieved great publishing success. About 7 million copies were sold in Poland, not including pirated reprints.
Description
The book is considered the first guide to
sexual life
''Sexual Life'' is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Ken Kwapis, who would go on to chronicle modern romantic life in the better-known '' He's Just Not That Into You'' in 2009. Produced by Ken Aguado and distributed by Sho ...
in a communist country. The author describes methods of
contraception
Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth contr ...
, a list of
sexual position
A sex position is a position of the body that people use for sexual intercourse or other sexual activities. Sexual acts are generally described by the positions the participants adopt in order to perform those acts. Though sexual intercourse ge ...
s and
games
A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (such ...
, historical texts on
love talk
''Love Talk'' (러브토크) is the second film by South Korean director Lee Yoon-ki. It tells the story of a group of expatriated South Koreans trying to adapt to living in the Los Angeles area. The film was shot entirely on location in California ...
and methods of satisfying the sexual needs of lonely people. On the other hand, the author of ''Sztuka kochania'' also talks a lot about love and the need to understand another human being.
2016 republication
In 2016, the book was republished, with an introduction by professor
Zbigniew Izdebski and a new chapter on contraception. The new edition was released just before the premiere of the
biopic
A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudra ...
''
Sztuka kochania. Historia Michaliny Wisłockiej'' ("The Art of Loving: The Story of Michalina Wisłocka") directed by
Maria Sadowska
Maria Sadowska (born 27 June 1976 in Warsaw),Filmpolski.plMaria Sadowska also credited as Marysia SadowskaTopClub.plMarysia Sadowska or simply as Marysia, is a Polish pop singer, music producer, screenwriterRMF FMMarysia Sadowska and film direct ...
, with
Magdalena Boczarska
Magdalena Jadwiga Boczarska (; born 12 December 1978) is a Polish actress who has appeared in more than 25 feature films since 2001. She has twice received the IFFI Best Actor Award (Female): Silver Peacock Award, at the 41st and the 44th Intern ...
in the role of Michalina Wisłocka.
See also
*
Sex education
Sex education, also known as sexual education, sexuality education or sex ed, is the instruction of issues relating to human sexuality, including emotional relations and responsibilities, human sexual anatomy, Human sexual activity, sexual acti ...
References
{{Reflist
Polish non-fiction books
1978 non-fiction books
Sex manuals