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A History of Touch: Volume 22
Contributor(s): Vance, Erin (Author)
ISBN: 1771837217     ISBN-13: 9781771837217
Publisher: Guernica Editions
OUR PRICE:   $16.16  
Product Type: Paperback
Published: May 2022
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Poetry | Canadian
- Poetry | Women Authors
- Poetry | Subjects & Themes - Nature
Physical Information: 104 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

A History of Touching is a poetry collection about women in folklore and history who were ill, disabled, or otherwise labelled 'hysteric.' The work bears witness to the lives of women with varying experiences, such as a woman whose epilepsy was mistaken for demonic possession, Sarah Winchester's grief, Mary Roff and her love of leeches, and the "witch", Biddy Early. There is a poem about Bridget Cleary, who upon displaying her independence was burned to death by her husband, believing her to be a changeling. The collection includes pieces on anchoresses, Rosemary Kennedy, and accused witches. A History of Touching tells the stories of 'difficult women.' Each poem discusses an aspect of or a moment in a woman's life, connecting these moments to different aspects of embodiment and the natural world. A History of Touching is an examination of women vilified or left behind for their strength or their weakness. This book uses strong poetic imagery and metaphor to elevate details drawn from real life to that of poetry. The book comprises of three sections, each drifting between biographical poetry (Scrying, about Biddy Early), experimental poetry (Projections of a Glass Womb, which manipulates the text of a midwifery textbook), fairy tale sequences (What a Pretty Sight), folklore, (Macha, Flickers) and pieces that incorporate elements of confessional poetry (Bloodletting, Whiskers).