This book investigates how feminist discourse on incest intersects with existing sociological theories, legal frameworks, and historical power structures. Vikki Bell, a scholar in sociology and cultural studies, utilizes a Foucauldian analytical framework to challenge the conventional categorization of incest solely as sexual violence. By examining the evolution of criminal law and the development of feminist theory, Bell argues that the criminalization of incest creates complex dilemmas that require a more nuanced critical interrogation of how society constructs and regulates sexual taboos.

Experts and sociologists recognize this work as a significant contribution to the critical study of gender and law, particularly for its application of Foucauldian theory to feminist discourse. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for scholars and students engaged in advanced sociological or legal research.