Prior to picking this book up, I had little idea about Radley Metzger, but as a film scholar and practitioner, I had always wanted to know more about the erotic film and its makers’ perspectives.
This book gave me detailed insights into Metzger’s vision, and life, and in general, this is how I’d want a book about a filmmaker, artist to be.
4 - due to some nuances and design aspects

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!


A wonderful and insightful look into the life and work of Radley Metzger. Interpolating his early life with the meaning and reasoning behind his works from the early erotic and later pornographic works.

I was interested in reading this book since I’d seen some of the works, such as Therese and Isabelle and knew only a little bit about the man himself. This book lays out his career, personal life and films in a simple but thorough manner. Very enjoyable.

*Man of Taste* is a fascinating dive into the life and work of Radley Metzger, one of the most influential directors in the adult film industry. Rob King uses Metzger’s career to explore the blurred lines between art and adult cinema, showing how Metzger brought arthouse aesthetics to a genre often dismissed as lowbrow. From his early work in trailers to his infamous hardcore films under the pseudonym Henry Paris, this book traces his bold attempt to elevate the genre. The book is packed with rare photos and an intriguing look at how Metzger’s films reflect shifts in American film culture. If you're curious about the crossroads of cinema, culture, and taste, this one’s a great read!