City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Abortion, a personal story, a political choice, Pauline Harmange ; translated by Caitlin O'Neil

eng

Includes bibliographical references

contains biographical information

no index present

non fiction

Abortion

Pauline Harmange ; translated by Caitlin O'Neil

a personal story, a political choice

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