Immaculate Forms : Uncovering the History of Women's Bodies by Helen King (PRE-ORDER)

'Delightful, timely and critical' Cat Bohannon 'Expertly weaves science, history and culture to illuminate the most misunderstood parts of our bodies' Dr Jennifer Gunter

Throughout history, religious scholars, medical men and - occasionally - women themselves, have moulded thought on what 'makes' a woman. She has been called the weaker sex, the fairer sex, the purer sex, among many other monikers. Often, she has been defined simply as 'Not A Man'.

Today, we are more aware than ever of the complex relationship between our bodies and our identities. But contrary to what some may believe, what makes a woman is a question that has always been open-ended. Immaculate Forms examines all the ways in which medicine and religion have played a gatekeeping role over women's organs.

It explores how the womb was seen as both the most miraculous organ in the body and as a sewer; uncovers breasts' legacies as maternal or sexual organs - or both; probes the mystery of the disappearing hymen, and asks, did the clitoris need to be discovered at all?

Paperback

Publication: 5 Jun 2025, Profile
ISBN: 9781788163880
Extent: 448 pages