Thanks, Garth, this is wonderful. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this because it sounded so improvisational, but I’m going to go out and buy it. If it has a couple more passages as extraordinary as the ones you’ve quoted, it will be worth it.
You got really close to getting those scenes: the need to break taboos in order to enter a deep body intimacy previously unrealized. And yes, the nurturing born of that intimacy. Yes, before the protagonist was "alone" in her menstruation. And yes, you have some understanding of blood and its complications from the fear the spread of illnesses like AIDS. But July uses a word before the alone line. That word is "neglect."
Remember the journey this woman takes is because of fear of the unknown: who will I be when I stop menstruating? This blood that begins our path as women, allows us to become sexual beings, grants us the gift of being able to create and carry life is the most feared and maligned blood on earth. Most world religions deem a woman untouchable during her menstruation. In some cultures she is cast out of the family home and sent to live in a menstrual tent or some other temporary dwelling where she won't contaminate the family. We are not aloud to discuss our menstruation. Maybe a bit with our mothers, at certain times with girlfriends. But it is an aspect of our lives where all of our female shame resides. And we carry it each month in silence. Silenced.
This whole book is based on a question that Simone de Beauvoir raised in The Second Sex: when it stops is my life as a sexual being, as a woman over? Or am I suddenly set free: from sexual harrassment, from the trials of love? July answers this when she takes the juice of her own vagina to lubricate her older lover. Another remarkable, deep and nuanced scene in this amazing book.
I loved your essay. I think it's time to write one of my own!
Thanks, Garth, this is wonderful. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this because it sounded so improvisational, but I’m going to go out and buy it. If it has a couple more passages as extraordinary as the ones you’ve quoted, it will be worth it.
It definitely does. Thanks for reading this piece, I think you’ll find a lot in the novel to love.
You're a great thinker, Garth. How grateful I am to have found you. Thank you so much for the jewels of your insights.
What an immensely kind comment. Thank you so much for reading this.
Very smart. I laughed out loud twice. Loved extravagant/vagrant.
Thanks so much for reading it, William!
Garth,
You got really close to getting those scenes: the need to break taboos in order to enter a deep body intimacy previously unrealized. And yes, the nurturing born of that intimacy. Yes, before the protagonist was "alone" in her menstruation. And yes, you have some understanding of blood and its complications from the fear the spread of illnesses like AIDS. But July uses a word before the alone line. That word is "neglect."
Remember the journey this woman takes is because of fear of the unknown: who will I be when I stop menstruating? This blood that begins our path as women, allows us to become sexual beings, grants us the gift of being able to create and carry life is the most feared and maligned blood on earth. Most world religions deem a woman untouchable during her menstruation. In some cultures she is cast out of the family home and sent to live in a menstrual tent or some other temporary dwelling where she won't contaminate the family. We are not aloud to discuss our menstruation. Maybe a bit with our mothers, at certain times with girlfriends. But it is an aspect of our lives where all of our female shame resides. And we carry it each month in silence. Silenced.
This whole book is based on a question that Simone de Beauvoir raised in The Second Sex: when it stops is my life as a sexual being, as a woman over? Or am I suddenly set free: from sexual harrassment, from the trials of love? July answers this when she takes the juice of her own vagina to lubricate her older lover. Another remarkable, deep and nuanced scene in this amazing book.
I loved your essay. I think it's time to write one of my own!
Thank you for reading this piece, Rachel, and for sharing these thoughts. I look forward to your essay.