I had never read any of Eve Ensler's previous works but now that I have read her take on her own experiences I can't wait to take on the rest of her library. I simply loved the irony, metaphor, outlook and strength that Ms Ensler portrayed so eloquently.
For those who are not familiar with Eve Ensler, her most famous work was "The Vagina Monologues" so there is no shortage of irony in the fact that this memoir chronicles her battle with cervical cancer. I first began the book when a friend of mine was going through testing for cysts so I had to put it down for a week and picked it up tonight only to consume 3/4 of it in one sitting.
Every person who has gone through cancer has struggled with the "why me" considerations but, in this case, we are talking about a woman who has devoted her entire journalistic, playwriting, and authorial career to women's rights, women's issues and protecting the women abroad who can't defend themselves. It seems that, if anyone should be spared this particular hell of having her genitalia removed, it would be her. Enter the metaphor of her internalizing the pain of others and it manifesting as cancer in her own body. This concept could have been seriously cheesy but the style or writing made it feel very genuine and poignant.
Eve produces a full history of the people and experiences without it consuming the entire text. Her stream of consciousness style compels the reader through the chapters in a concise flow.
It's a definite must read. Seriously - read this.
Goodreads Rating: 5 stars.
On Deck: The Dinner by Herman Koch
In Progress audio: Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer
I can't wait to read this, Krissy!
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