Abortion

a personal story, a political choice
Pauline Harmange (trans. Caitlin O’Neil)

‘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.’

Publishers Weekly

‘Abortion: a personal story, a political choice… defuses arguments on both sides of the abortion rights issue by presenting an intelligent, heartfelt understanding of what matters most … a solid, thought-provoking read that proves to be a noteworthy effort to open a much-needed discussion about a societal taboo.’

Shelf Awareness

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‘The vulnerability and openness with which Harmange shares her emotions reveal that for many women who find themselves pregnant—often despite contraception, the decision to abort is not an easy one … In many ways, Abortion is a bookend to Nobel Laureate Annie Ernaux’s book Happening.’

The Arts Fuse

‘Harmange’s essay so perfectly marries the personal and political, illustrating why we need to keep the conversation going around abortion and the nuances of experience.’

Ramona Magazine

“Sharing [abortion stories] is still taboo for the vast majority of people … If you are interested in this topic from whatever angle, you should definitely add this book to your reading list … Thank you Pauline Harmange for writing this book.”

LibraryThing

Praise for I Hate Men:

‘A delightful book.’

Roxane Gay

Praise for I Hate Men:

‘Written in wise prose, devoid of excess or rage, I Hate Men explores the terrain of contemporary feminism, its arguments in keeping with those of writers like Rebecca Solnit, as well as the movement‘s key ideas: patriarchy, the mental load, #MeToo and solidarity.’

L’Obs

Praise for I Hate Men:

‘An exhilarating essay to be read in one sitting.’

Libération

‘In this personal essay, [Harmane] explores the need for a space in which women are free to talk about the feelings of ambivalence, negativity, sadness and insecurity that can follow an abortion. When she decided to undergo this procedure because of her economic circumstances, she thought it would be “quick and easy, over and done”. But it wasn’t that simple. While she didn’t regret it, she still had to live with the legacy of society’s attitudes toward the termination of pregnancy and her own body’s visceral response. Her candid ruminations add valuable nuance to this fraught debate.’

Fiona Capp, The Sydney Morning Herald

‘How better to honour the women who have fought for abortion rights, those who are still fighting around the world, those who have suffered from its illegality, those who still suffer from its limitations, than to continue to talk about it?’

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.

Publishers Weekly

Shelf Awareness

View all reviews

The Arts Fuse

‘Harmange’s essay so perfectly marries the personal and political, illustrating why we need to keep the conversation going around abortion and the nuances of experience.’

Ramona Magazine

LibraryThing

Praise for I Hate Men:

‘A delightful book.’

Roxane Gay

Praise for I Hate Men:

L’Obs

Praise for I Hate Men:

‘An exhilarating essay to be read in one sitting.’

Libération

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Details

Format:Hardback

Size: 198mm × 129mm

Extent:96pp

ISBN (13):9781761380020

RRP:$19.99

Pub date:4 Apr 2023

Rights Held: World English

High-res cover:Download Image

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Pauline Harmange

Pauline Harmange (born 1995) is a French feminist writer and self-declared misandrist who became the subject of international news coverage after her 96-page essay I Hate Men sold out its press run after a French governmental official attempted to censor the book. She lives in Lille.

TRANSLATOR

Caitlin O’Neil

Caitlin O’Neil is a literary publicist and translator from the French, based in Minneapolis, USA. She is also the translator of Corinne Hoex’s Gentlemen Callers (Dalkey Archive Press, 2022), and her translations have appeared in Literary Hub, Southwest Review, and Asymptote Journal. Find her online at www.CaitlinONeil.me.

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Abortion

a personal story, a political choice
Pauline Harmange (trans. Caitlin O’Neil)

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Multi-time winner of the Australian Small Publisher of the Year Award

Abortion

a personal story, a political choice Pauline Harmange (trans. Caitlin O’Neil)

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a personal story, a political choice
Pauline Harmange (trans. Caitlin O’Neil)