The Camera My Mother Gave Me: A MemoirSusanna Kaysen, who wrote about her teenage depression in the bestseller Girl, Interrupted, now takes on another taboo: her vagina–which suddenly and inexplicably starts to hurt. And neither Kaysen’s cheery gynecologist, nor her internist, nor a laconic “vulvologist” has the cure. An alternative health nurse suggests direct application of tea, baking soda, and boric acid. Others recommend novocaine, oatmeal, “bio-feedback,” and anti-depressants. Nothing works. As sex becomes more and more painful, Kaysen’s relationship with her boyfriend disintegrates and she turns to her best friends, her wicked sense of humor, and finally wry self-reflection to get herself through. Using this unusual lens, Kaysen challenges us to think in new ways about the centrality and power of sexuality. The Camera My Mother Gave Me is an unexpected and revelatory book from one of our most candid, insightful and consistently surprising writers. |
Contents
Section 1 | 3 |
Section 2 | 5 |
Section 3 | 10 |
Section 4 | 14 |
Section 5 | 18 |
Section 6 | 22 |
Section 7 | 32 |
Section 8 | 35 |
Section 16 | 96 |
Section 17 | 100 |
Section 18 | 102 |
Section 19 | 107 |
Section 20 | 115 |
Section 21 | 120 |
Section 22 | 123 |
Section 23 | 128 |
Section 9 | 38 |
Section 10 | 41 |
Section 11 | 54 |
Section 12 | 57 |
Section 13 | 61 |
Section 14 | 66 |
Section 15 | 79 |
Section 24 | 133 |
Section 25 | 137 |
Section 26 | 139 |
Section 27 | 144 |
Section 28 | 146 |
Section 29 | 149 |
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Common terms and phrases
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