Carmen Maria Machado's debut collection of short stories, Her Body and Other Parties, is a tour de force of feminist horror. The stories in this collection explore the ways in which women's bodies are often objectified and controlled, and they do so with a raw and unflinching honesty. Machado's writing is both lyrical and brutal, and it will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
The Stories
The stories in Her Body and Other Parties range from the deeply personal to the surreal and nightmarish. In "The Husband Stitch," a young woman undergoes a painful surgery to tighten her vagina for her husband's pleasure. In "Inventory," a woman's body is slowly being taken over by objects that she has ingested. In "The Resident," a pregnant woman is haunted by the ghost of her unborn child.
4.4 out of 5
Language | : | English |
File size | : | 3222 KB |
Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
Screen Reader | : | Supported |
Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
X-Ray | : | Enabled |
Word Wise | : | Enabled |
Print length | : | 249 pages |
Machado's stories are not for the faint of heart. They are often graphic and disturbing, but they are also deeply moving and thought-provoking. Machado's writing is a powerful reminder of the ways in which women's bodies are often objectified and controlled, and it is a call for us to do better.
Themes
The stories in Her Body and Other Parties explore a number of important themes, including:
- The objectification and control of women's bodies
- The violence that is often perpetrated against women's bodies
- The resilience and strength of women
- The power of storytelling
Machado's writing is a powerful exploration of these themes, and it is sure to stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Style
Machado's writing is both lyrical and brutal. She uses language in a way that is both beautiful and horrifying. Her stories are often filled with vivid imagery and symbolism, and her prose is both elegant and unflinching.
Machado's style is a perfect fit for the stories she tells. Her writing is able to capture the beauty and the horror of the human experience, and it will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Her Body and Other Parties is a powerful and unforgettable collection of stories. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in feminist horror, or for anyone who is interested in the ways in which women's bodies are often objectified and controlled. Machado's writing is both lyrical and brutal, and it will stay with you long after you finish reading it.