Wordgathering

A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature

Volume 11     Issue 2     June 2017

Book Reviews and Excerpts in this Issue

a table displaying 4 books about disability

The book reviews in this issue of Wordgathering lead off with a look at the work of two long time figures in disability studies and literature – Rosemarie Garland Thomson and Eli Claire. Thomson is widely known as one of the architects of what has, for all practical purposes, become the flagship viewpoint of disability studies. The twentieth anniversary edition of her canonical text, Extradinary Bodies, gives readers a look at the book that catapulted her into the limelight. By contrast, Eli Claire, whose book Exile and Pride also made a big initial splash has worked outside of the more academically orthodox positions. His book Brilliant Imperfection continues his work as a singular voice.

Opposite these more academic works are two new works of fiction. Kristen Ringman most recent book I Stole You consists of short speculative fiction, while Meg Eden gives readers an experimental novel whose protagonist toggles between her video game identity and her real world self. The final book review takes a look at Jessica Goody's poetry collection, Defense Mechanisms.

In addition to reading the review of I Stole You, readers can get a feel for Ringman's work by checking out a short selection from one of her stories in the Wordgathering's Excerpts section.

Wordgathering takes pride in providing well-written reviews that constitute works of disability literature themselves. Our thanks to writers Marie Kane, Travis Lau, and Michael Uniacke for their contributions to this issue. Writers with books that they would like reviewed or who would be interested in reviewing books for this journal should contact us at comments@wordgathering.com.

 

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