Abortion: a personal story, a political choice

(Hardback)

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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 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 Praise for I Hate Men- 'A delightful book.' -Roxane Gay 'Written in wise prose, devoid of excess or rage, I Hate Men explores the terrain of contemporary feminism, its arguments in keeping with those of writers like Rebecca Solnit, as well as the movement's key ideas- patriarchy, the mental load, #MeToo and solidarity.' -L'Obs

Author Bio

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'.