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Read 'em & Weep
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Sometimes we don't feel like talking about our experiences; reading books on post-abortion can be a private way to heal.
Below I've added a list of books on post-abortion recovery. Many of them are out of print, but some can be found in libraries or second-hand book stores (though I haven't had much luck myself). Another option is to check out the on-line used book services listed below: www.bibliofind.com www.abebooks.com www.interloc.com |
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Unspeakable Losses: Understanding the Experience of Pregnancy Loss, Miscarriage & Abortion by Kim Kluger-Bell Published by W. W. Norton & Co. 1998 hard cover $29.99 On the continuum of loss, Kluger-Bell puts abortion, as the title suggests, within the natural and legitimate spectrum of perinatal grief. Stories are presented in-depth, and women are encouraged to use mourning and ritual to help them move on from their grief. There's also a section on men's experiences of pregnancy loss and abortion. Beyond our political right to choose, Unspeakable Losses describes the dilemma taking place every day in the hearts and minds of thousands of women.
Experiencing Abortion: A Weaving of Women's Words by Eve Kushner Published by Harrington Park Press 1997 hard cover $49.95 soft cover $24.95 Kushner writes what women think and feel about their decision to have an abortion, and how women have made sense of their experiences. Rich in sorting out and describing the complexities of the abortion experience, Experiencing Abortion has excellent sections on using anger as an empowering force, and how to make peace with our bodies. Experiencing Abortion is thorough and well recommended.
Peace after Abortion by Ava Torre-Bueno soft cover $12.95 Published by Pimpernel Press 1997 Peace after Abortion is broken down into the basic emotions surrounding abortion: guilt, grief, shame, depression, anger and spiritual injury. Peace after Abortion has a section on men's experiences with abortion. Torre-Bueno also describes how some women get pregnant for unconscious reasons, and explores healing through atonement and ritual.
The Healing Choice: Your Guide to Emotional Recovery After an Abortion by Candace De Puy and Dana Dovitch Published by Simon & Schuster 1997 soft cover $16.00 The Healing Choice is broken up into three sections: the experience of being pregnant and having an abortion; the emotional aftermath; and the process of healing and acceptance. The Healing Choice has exercises to help you get in touch with your feelings as well as excerpts from interviews with women who share their own post-abortion stories.
Our Choices: Women's Personal Decisions About Abortion by Sumi Hoshiko Published by Harrington Park Press 1993 soft cover $27.95 Our Choices has 16 women speak openly and honestly about why they chose abortion and what that choice has meant for their lives. Our Choices covers illegal abortions, abortion as a consequence of rape, abortion in a religious family, abortion for self-preservation, and other stories. Foreword by Norma McCorvey, the Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade.
Abortion: A Positive Decision by Patricia Lunnerborg Published by Bergin & Garvey 1992 $45.00 This book has some interesting sections, and its basic premise - that abortion is "profamily, prolife, moral and good" is strong and straightforward. As the author herself states, however, A Positive Decision is not about the mixed emotions some of us experience after our abortions, and is not designed to help us work through those feelings. It's mostly written for women in the decision-making process, and for counsellors.
Bitter Fruit: Women's Experiences of Unplanned Pregnancy, Abortion and Adoption by Rita Townsend and Ann Perkins Published by Hunter House 1992 out of print Bitter Fruit is an incredibly cathartic book. It is a collection of poignant narratives, poems and illustrations, that reveal over 50 women's experiences with pregnancy, loss, and motherhood. I highly recommend it. The Choices We Made by Angela Bonavoglia Published by Random House 1991 out of print 25 famous men and women share their extraordinary stories of courage in obtaining legal and illegal abortion. The Choices We Made shows how varied, complex, and personal the factors surrounding the decision to abort can be, and the suffering that results when abortion is denied. Foreword by Gloria Steinem.
Soul Crisis by Sue Nathanson Published by Penguin Books 1989 out of print An excellent book on one woman's journey through abortion to renewal. Soul Crisis is a profoundly heartfelt account of Nathanson's personal experience with abortion and her feelings afterwards. The account is based on the journal she kept during this time in her life.
The Inner Dance: A Guide to Spiritual and Psychological Unfolding by Diana Mariechild Published by Crossing Press 1987 out of print Though this book does not pertain to abortion specifically, The Inner Dance could be useful for those who wish to explore their emotional and spiritual connections to abortion. Using techniques drawn from a multiplicity of cultures, Mariechild guides the reader through exercises incorporating breath, movement, visualization and guided introspection.
A Difficult Decision: A Compassionate Book About Abortion by Joy Gardner Published by Crossing Press 1986 out of print Chapters 5, 6 and 7 deal with the abortion procedure, feelings after an abortion, and stories of how some women cope. A Difficult Decision offers a sweet and simple approach to a very difficult subject.
Thinking About Abortion by Beryl Lieff Benderly Published by The Dial Press 1984 out of print Thinking About Abortion is quite a progressive book for its time, although it's written in a "professional, "somewhat non-feeling tone. Chapter 7 on "The Aftermath," and chapter 8 on "Finding the Meaning" are just as relevant now as they were 14 years ago. Thinking About Abortion speaks frankly about abortion issues, and includes quotes by women throughout the book. Mostly, however, the perspective is informative, and not about personal healing and recovery.
Abortion: The Agonizing Decision by David Mace Published by Abingdon Press 1972 out of print (I'm still trying to find this one.) |
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or know where to find some of the out-of-print books,
we'd love to hear from you.
skye@prochoiceconnection.com