Soho at Work
Pleasure and Place in Contemporary London

An ethnographic study of working in sex shops in London's distinctive Soho area, demonstrating the importance of place in shaping the identities and experiences of workers and customers.

Melissa Tyler (Author)

9781107182738, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 December 2019

248 pages, 19 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.6 x 1.6 cm, 0.52 kg

'The result is a richly descriptive and analytically provocative book that weaves together cultural history, geography, and sociology. Some readers will likely find themselves curiously lured to Soho for a visit, like moths drawn to a (red) light.' J. R. Mitrano, Choice

What is it like to work in a place that is both a thriving and close-knit community and a globally recognised part of the commercial sex industry? London's Soho has always been a place of complexity, contrast and change throughout its colourful history, yet urban branding, local community initiatives and licensing regulations have combined to 'clean up' Soho, arguably to the point of sanitisation, and commercial over-development remains a continuing threat. In spite of all this, Soho retains its edge and remains a unique place to live, work and consume. Based on a ten-year ethnographic study of working in Soho's sex shops, combining archival material, literary sources, photographic materials and interviews with men and women employed there, Tyler draws together insights from history, geography and cultural studies to tell the unseen story of this fascinating work place.

Introduction. Pleasure and place in Soho
1. Soho: London's gilded gutter
2. Putting work in its place: space, place and setting
3. Shopping for sex: situating work in Soho's sex shops
4. It's a dirty job: performing abject labour in Soho
5. No place for a lady? Un/doing gender and sexuality in Soho
Conclusion. Rhythm is our business.

Subject Areas: Organizational theory & behaviour [KJU], Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Gender studies, gender groups [JFSJ], Ethical issues: prostitution & sex industry [JFMX]