Hills of Paradise: Power, Powerlessness and the Female Body

In this deeply researched, powerful account, Mineke Schipper, analyses stories about sexuality, pregnancy and births; stories of immaculate conception, erotic lactation, virginal bleeding, contraception, chastity and instruments of torture designed for use on women. She explores male anxieties such as the dread of hymens and menstrual blood, and the fear of dependency on mothers and wives. This book offers not only clear insights into the past, but also into the way women and men interact with each other, even today.