The Ascetic of Desire Originally published in India in 1998. First US edition 2000. See our review for fuller assessment. Despite these problems, The Ascetic of Desire isn't dull for a moment. Similarly the illustrative quotes chosen here are merely those the complete review subjectively believes represent the tenor and judgment of the review as a whole.
Sex is notoriously difficult to write about.
It is different things to different people, and what is erotic to some can be pornographic, obscene, or boring to others. The name alone of this notorious treatise, written some time between the first and sixth century A.D. in India, continues to evoke the erotic and exotic. Kakar's novel is told by a young man who comes under the influence of Vatsyana, the author of the Kamasutra , and who comes to record his life. This allows Kakar to invent a history and background for the mysterious author about whom practically nothing is known except his name, the area where he lived, and the book he wrote. The student, a youth just beginning to explore sex, makes the ideal contrast to the worldly Vatsyana, now retired and torn between severing his ties with the world, going out into the forest, or continuing his life with his beautiful wife.