Originally published in 1929, Is Sex Necessary? is a brilliant and hilarious collaboration between James Thurber and E.B. White, two of the most iconic American humorists of the 20th century. This illustrated edition revives their witty, satirical exploration of love, relationships, and human behavior, blending faux-scientific analysis with delightful absurdity.
Framed as a parody of the serious sex manuals and psychological treatises of the era, the book mocks the clinical tone of popular science while offering playful (and sometimes oddly insightful) commentary on desire, romance, and gender dynamics. With chapter titles like “What Should Children Tell Their Parents?” and “The Nature of the American Male,” the text gleefully subverts expectations.
Thurber’s whimsical drawings add an extra layer of charm, bringing visual humor to the authors’ sharp prose and enhancing the book’s timeless appeal. The illustrations perfectly capture the awkwardness, confusion, and comedy that often accompany love and intimacy.
Though written nearly a century ago, the book remains surprisingly relevant, proving that while attitudes evolve, human quirks stay hilariously familiar. It’s both a parody and a celebration of our eternal curiosity about sex and emotion.
A must-read for fans of intelligent humor, literary parody, and classic American wit.
