Shirley Conran wrote a bonkbuster to teach schoolgirls about sex
The author and campaigner for maths education died on May 9th, aged 91
Did it excite her? That was what people always wanted to know. They meant sexually, of course, though they didn’t dare to use that word. Did it excite her to write sex scenes? They all seemed to think that she was panting over her keyboard. Certainly Dame Shirley Conran wrote a lot about sex. And she did dare to use the word “sexual”—and indeed “panting”. Not to mention “gasping”, “throbbing” and “writhing”. But she didn’t find it arousing: she was too busy concentrating on her spelling.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Shirley Conran”
From the May 18th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Obituary
Edna O’Brien’s books scandalised Ireland
The novelist and playwright died on July 27th, aged 93
Thomas Neff’s idea rid the world of a third of its nuclear warheads
The physicist and government adviser died on July 11th, aged 80
Dr Ruth aimed to shake America out of its puritan ways
The psycho-sexual therapist and media star died on July 12th, aged 96
Pål Enger never quite knew why he had to steal “The Scream”
The petty criminal and former footballer died on June 29th, aged 57
Ángeles Flórez Peón, “Maricuela”, made sure Spain did not forget its history
The last militiawoman who defended the Second Republic died on May 23rd, aged 105
Willie Mays’s philosophy was simple: They throw the ball, I hit the ball
Possibly the best baseball player ever died on June 18th, aged 93