Overview

In this sexually charged memoir, Sue Camaione sets off on a rebellious course to make her way as a young woman determined to live on her own terms despite societal mores. Full of a precocious curiosity about sexuality, Sue questions her religious education, challenges her school dress code, sets herself on a quest to lose her virginity, and, as she grows older, encounters challenges that at times leave her broke, sick, and homeless. She flees upstate New York, embarking on romantic adventures across the country. She discovers orgasmic joy in the Rocky Mountains, falls in love in Tucson, struggles with open marriage in San Diego, and explores forbidden intimacy in the arms of a Chilean graduate student in Boston. These experiences, men, places, and friendships transform her. Both a coming-of-age story and a depiction of an era, The Practical Seductress exposes the gender double standard and the dangers and joys of sexual freedom that defined the 1970s and ’80s. Filled with humor and learned wisdom, this is a story of desire and survival, navigating treacherous and unpredictable paths, defying social norms, and finding redemption.

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9781647426248

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Reviews

“Candid, brave, and honest, The Practical Seductress should be required reading, if for no other reason than to help so many men better understand and assist in overcoming the sexual double standards that continue to exist.” —Rob Jolles, author of How to Change Minds and Why People Don’t Believe You “Sue is brutally candid and funny in describing her journey. She fiercely fights gender bigotry as she seeks to pursue a fulfilling and sensually satisfying life.” —Chris Palmer, author of Finding Meaning and Success “Sue’s story left me laughing and wincing with recognition at memories of the 1970s sexual revolution. Coming of age during that era, we were naive and hopeful that the gender double standard could be overcome by our passionate pursuit of equality. Young women today would be wise to learn from this book that our rights as women cannot be taken for granted.” —Laurie Morin, author of Shero’s Journey “A quick read packed with emotional candor and wit and all about sexual desire? Yes, please! The Practical Seductress inhabits a space between hilarity and heartbreak, and weaves between pain and sharp humor, while staying grounded and focused on desire.” —Amy L. Freeman, essayist for The Washington Post, HuffPost, and Parents.com “A story fueled by intricate and entertaining storytelling; Sue bravely puts herself out there—sharing raw, honest tales of a girl’s quest to overcome the sexual double standard. While she unravels and re-ravels her coming of age in a captivating, quick read, her journey toward womanhood and becoming a resilient, empowered feminist will leave a lasting impression. Her witty writing confronts difficult topics head-on and evokes the whole spectrum—from shock and outrage to hilarity and tears of joy.” —Cyn Meyer, founder of Second Wind Movement

Author Information

Sue Camaione has spent her professional life working as an education reporter, publications creative manager, and proposal writer focused on health research. Two of the chapters from The Practical Seductress were originally presented to Washington DC–area audiences at the Story Fest Short Slam storytelling contest, in which she won second place. Sue is a member of The Writers Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where she resides. In addition to performing in area storytelling competitions, she is penning the second book of her trilogy of memoirs and learning to play drums. She is also a literacy mentor to area students, hoping to foster a new generation of writers. Sue’s sharp-tongued suffragette grandmother was her inspiration for writing The Practical Seductress.

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