To me, Araki is the ultimate 'casual photographer', a man who takes pictures as casual and non stop as he breathes. It is not just about sex, but about his life, his loves, his fears, his fascinations. And it is honest, not 'glorified' or 'made to please'. In a way, it reminds me of film 'the Truman show'.
It is a huge book. With a man who lives his life looking through a camera, it is only natural his work comes in staggering amounts of pictures. For the true collector, this probably means a never ending hunt to collect the numerous small photo books Araka has published over the past decades. For the less devoted or more lazy folks like me, a book like this is wonderful. It offers a huge peek into the man's work, all in one sale.
The book offers little or no explanation, the pictures appear to be in no special order or system. Although there are some chapters and sections, the link between a group of photo's is often intuitive and private, rather then literary.
I am very happy with this book.