What’s Done Cannot Be Undone

A Memoir of a Life off Balance

Athena Stevens

$39.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

HQ
05 June 2025

Individual actors & performers; Autobiography: arts & entertainment; Memoirs; Disability: social aspects; Social discrimination

This is not an inspirational memoir. This is not trauma porn. This is a memoir about the forces that impact our lives, both good and bad.

Athena Stevens has never learned the name of the doctor whose lack of intervention at her birth lead to her cerebral palsy, but she feels the consequences of his actions – and inaction – every day. The factor observed first and foremost in her life will forever be the effects of what other people have done to her, rather than her accomplishments. And yet, she was groomed to believe that she would overcome any force that stood in her way.

A memoir like no other, What’s Done Cannot be Undone takes readers on a whirlwind journey through Athena’s life, providing a profound insight into the realities of moving through the world as a disabled woman. From being born ‘dead’ to co-founding the Women’s Equality Party; from not being picked to play the back of a cow to an Olivier Award nomination, this complex, lyrical, gut-punch of a memoir is laugh-out-loud funny, unrelentingly furious, and a powerful reminder that changing the world singlehandedly is as impossible as defying the laws of physics.

By: Athena Stevens
Imprint: HQ
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 240mm, Width: 159mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 270g
ISBN: 9780008557300
ISBN 10: 0008557306
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 05 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Athena Stevens is an Olivier Award-nominated actor, playwright, and author. She is a student at Harvard University, specializing in neuropsychology, and is host of the podcast Neuroblast. A leading voice in contemporary theatre, Athena’s work has been performed at Finborough Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, where she stepped down as associate artist after whistleblowing on safeguarding policies and disability discrimination, prompting a lawsuit and multi-year investigation. Her other work includes the feature documentary Day of Small Things (Channel 4), the radio play Reluctant Spirit with music by Arvo Pärt (BBC Radio 3) and three web series (YouTube). Athena was the first spokesperson for women in the media of the Women's Equality Party and a founder of Primadonna Literary Festival. Born in Chicago, she now lives in London.

Reviews for What’s Done Cannot Be Undone: A Memoir of a Life off Balance

‘Athena Stevens doesn’t look for our sympathy. It’s the last thing she wants. She demands respect and oh my god, how she earns it with this gloriously angry, hilarious, brilliant memoir. A marvellous piece of writing and an absolute must-read.’ Catherine Mayer