De kus. Een kleine encyclopedie.

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A kiss can signify parental affection, an erotic encounter, a social strategy, or vulnerability. In folklore, a kiss can transform an ugly witch into beauty, while in Hollywood, it can elevate a great beauty to legendary status. Few gestures offer as much pleasure or hold such significance in our lives, as Adrianne Blue illustrates in this engaging exploration of kissing. She delves into its various dimensions, from the physical to the abstract. While only two muscles are needed to purse lips, a passionate kiss can engage all thirty-four facial muscles and more. Kissing also fulfills an infant's need to suckle and carries symbolic emotional weight throughout life. Socially, context matters: in Provence, three kisses are customary as greetings, while in Japan, a single peck can be offensive. Blue discusses the portrayal of kisses in early cinema, highlighting iconic moments and evolving ideals of attractiveness, from Garbo's slender lips to Julia Roberts's fuller ones. She also examines the kiss in visual arts, referencing renowned sculptures by Rodin and Brancusi, and compiles a diverse collection of poems, from Catullus to the Song of Songs, for lovers to explore the multifaceted nature of kissing.