Abortion

a personal story, a political choice

Pauline Harmange, Caitlin O'Neil

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English

Scribe Publications
04 April 2023

Society & Social Sciences; Ethical issues: abortion & birth control; Gender studies: women; Civil rights & citizenship; Women's health

"From the author of I Hate Men, a personal and political reflection on abortion rights.

Discussion about abortion and associated rights are often limited to either 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice', the latter of which focuses on the importance of having the right to choose, rather than on what that right means for real people.

In this timely essay, Pauline Harmange provides an intimate, detailed account of her abortion. Reminiscent of Annie Ernaux's Happening, Abortion is nuanced, complex, honest, and precise. Harmange gives voice to the emotions, reflections, and contradictions that someone could experience when they choose to terminate a pregnancy.

At a time in which women's reproductive rights are being called into question around the world, Abortion is a clarion call, a powerful personal testimony, and a resolutely political vision- to restore power to our experiences, all our experiences, by sharing them, and to transform society for the better.

'In this personal essay,

Harmange

explores the need for a space in which women are free to talk about the feelings of ambivalence, negativity, sadness and insecurity that can follow an abortion. When she decided to undergo this procedure because of her economic circumstances, she thought it would be ""quick and easy, over and done"". But it wasn't that simple. While she didn't regret it, she still had to live with the legacy of society's attitudes toward the termination of pregnancy and her own body's visceral response. Her candid ruminations add valuable nuance to this fraught debate.' -Fiona Capp, The Sydney Morning Herald

'In this nuanced account, Harmange (I Hate Men) reflects on her decision to have an abortion ... She uses her story as a launching pad to explore the politics of abortion and laments that taboo inhibits frank discussion of the ""feelings of ambiguity, negativity, sadness, and insecurity"" that can accompany the procedure ... Harmange excels at illuminating intersections between the personal and the political, and her willingness to probe her own pain makes for powerful reading. Timely and affecting, this packs a punch.' -Publishers Weekly

'Abortion- a personal story, a political choice ... defuses arguments on both sides of the abortion rights issue by presenting an intelligent, heartfelt understanding of what matters most ... a solid, thought-provoking read that proves to be a noteworthy effort to open a much-needed discussion about a societal taboo.' -Shelf Awareness"

By: Pauline Harmange, Caitlin O'Neil
Imprint: Scribe Publications
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 204mm, Width: 135mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 170g
ISBN: 9781761380020
ISBN 10: 1761380028
Pages: 96
Publication Date: 04 April 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Pauline Harmange (Author) Pauline Harmange (born 1995) is a French feminist writer and self-declared misandrist who became the subject of international news coverage after her 96-page essay I Hate Men sold out its press run after a French governmental official attempted to censor the book. She lives in Lille. Caitlin O'Neil (Author) Caitlin O'Neil is a literary publicist and translator from the French. Her translations have appeared in Literary Hub, Southwest Review, and Asymptote Journal. Her translation of Corinne Hoex's Gentlemen Callers (Dalkey Archive Press, 2022) was praised by the New York Times for its 'vivid, witty aplomb'.