The Sex Offender: A Novel
Encyclopedia
The Sex Offender is a 1994 novel by Matthew Stadler
. The book is strongly influenced by the theory of Michel Foucault
on the links between state control of sex, health, and criminal behavior.
The Sex Offender chronicles the rehabilitation of a teacher (known as "Mr. uh, uh") who has had sex with a 12-year-old boy. He undergoes perverse forms of aversion therapy
from the Orwellian
Criminal and Health Ministry. Sessions involve watching pornographic movies while the offender's sexual arousal is measured and punishment administered. During these sessions, both the patient and his "Doctor-General" wear only bags over their heads.
Meanwhile, the offender begins visiting a forbidden night-club, lair of the drag queen
Lucrezia, outlawed but idolized by pervert and politician alike. Lucrezia initiates the offender into a clandestine rebellion against the police state, and among the rebels he meets the child from the child pornography he watches in therapy.
Matthew Stadler
Matthew Stadler is a writer and editor who lives in Portland, Oregon. He has written four novels and received several awards and fellowships in recognition of his work. More recently, he has compiled four anthologies about literature, city life and public life...
. The book is strongly influenced by the theory of Michel Foucault
Michel Foucault
Michel Foucault , born Paul-Michel Foucault , was a French philosopher, social theorist and historian of ideas...
on the links between state control of sex, health, and criminal behavior.
The Sex Offender chronicles the rehabilitation of a teacher (known as "Mr. uh, uh") who has had sex with a 12-year-old boy. He undergoes perverse forms of aversion therapy
Aversion therapy
Aversion therapy is a form of psychological treatment in which the patient is exposed to a stimulus while simultaneously being subjected to some form of discomfort...
from the Orwellian
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
Criminal and Health Ministry. Sessions involve watching pornographic movies while the offender's sexual arousal is measured and punishment administered. During these sessions, both the patient and his "Doctor-General" wear only bags over their heads.
Meanwhile, the offender begins visiting a forbidden night-club, lair of the drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
Lucrezia, outlawed but idolized by pervert and politician alike. Lucrezia initiates the offender into a clandestine rebellion against the police state, and among the rebels he meets the child from the child pornography he watches in therapy.