The Inner Circle

My brother sent me this book by T. Coraghessan Boyle, a fine author that he introduced me to years ago (Thanks Kevin!). The Inner Circle is a fictionalized account of the life, research and relationships of famed sex researcher, Alfred Kinsey. The story, told from the point of view of a former student who is hired by Kinsey to help conduct his research, provides a glimpse at what it must have been like to be a member of Kinsey’s staff, and a member of his ‘Inner Circle’.

The book led me to dig deeper. The movie Kinsey, starring Liam Neeson as Professor Kinsey, and the PBS American Experience documentary by the same name, were each good follow-ons to watch.

Despite its universal importance to the survival of our species, and the extra bonus that it’s also great fun, the taboos we wrap around ‘sex’ confront us daily. Some may be reasonable, and many are not. The Inner Circle was a good read, and a fascinating look at a man who tried to tear down some of these taboos, and the consequences that can accompany such efforts.