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FLICK

The Story of Female Pleasure

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FLICK

By: Kate Lister
Narrated by: Kate Lister
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Meet the women throughout history who, quite literally, came before us.

From the host of award-winning History Hit podcast Betwixt the Sheets..

There is a common misconception that before modern day feminism, women throughout history simply lay back and thought of England or their respective place of origin; that the modern ‘sex positive’ movement is a radical break from the past. But women demanding better sex did not arrive with free love or the Rampant Rabbit. It has been a very long fight indeed.

From Ancient Mesopotamian sex goddesses to the contraceptive pill, Kate Lister takes us through history to show us how women’s sexual pleasure was controlled, understood and thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed.

FLICK is a rousing history of women enjoying sex: sex with themselves, sex with each other, and occasionally sex with men as well.

© Kate Lister 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Human Sexuality Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Sexual & Reproductive Health Women
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Critic reviews

Flicking excellent . . . Kate Lister is a goddess. (DR LUCY WORSLEY)
This eye-opening account of how women's pleasure has been controlled throught time is thought provoking and intrepid...an excellent, spiky book.
Brilliantly researched, and joyfully written, this is a history of what sex really means for women. Finally. (DR ELEANOR JANEGA)
FLICK delves into the history of women's lived experiences and sexual repression, while also making us question modern assumptions of female pleasure. (LOUISE QUICK)
An absolute delight, and a must-read! Well-researched, informative and everything we have come to expect from Dr Lister. (ROSALIE GILBERT)
Unique, brilliant, gripping and unforgettable (PROF KATE WILLIAMS)
A deeply satisfying history (DR JULIA MARTINS)
Flick is a brisk, irreverent and often darkly funny history of how we came to imagine that women should ‘lie back and think of England’ . . . What makes Flick more than a fun romp through sexual history is the way it draws the line straight to the present. Some readers may well bristle at Lister’s work here . . . But – just maybe – those are the very readers who most need to hear it. (Sarah Jones)
All stars
Most relevant
Another great book by Dr Kate Lister. If you liked this definitely follow her on socials or listen to her podcast...if you don't already

Kate is great

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I love Dr Kate Lister’s podcast and this really is the cherry on the top. So well written and read!

Excellent!

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I binged this book in a day, it's an absolutely fascinating history, and really well read. It's funny in parts, and other parts infuriated me because of the treatment of women through time. Well worth a read!

Fascinating!

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absolutely everyone should read this, especially people who identify as female, very well researched, easy to listen to and thought provoking.

an incredibly important book

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Dr.Kate Lister is always a joy to listen to, watch or read. Fun and funny where possible, never dull where fun must be absent and full of facts, stats and questions; with plenty of answers too. A must listen/read.

Informatively shocking, or shockingly informative? Outstanding either way

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