Happening
Happening by Annie Ernaux, published by Fitzcarraldo Editions on February 13, 2019, is a poignant exploration of personal trauma and societal pressures. In this 77-page work, Ernaux recounts her experience of an unplanned pregnancy in 1963 France, a time when abortion was illegal. Through a blend of memoir and reflection, she delves into the shame and fear that accompanied her situation, ultimately leading her to seek an abortion under harrowing circumstances.
Readers will find that Ernaux meticulously examines her memories and journal entries from that period, providing insight into the emotional and physical struggles she faced. The narrative touches on themes of personal autonomy, societal expectations, and the complexities surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. With a focus on her experiences, Ernaux’s writing invites contemplation on the broader implications of reproductive rights and the impact of societal norms on individual choices.
Official synopsis Publisher
In 1963, Annie Ernaux, 23 and unattached, realizes she is pregnant. Shame arises in her like a plague: understanding that her pregnancy will mark her and her family as social failures, she knows she cannot keep that child. This is the story, written forty years later, of a trauma Ernaux never overcame. In a France where abortion was illegal, she attempted, in vain, to self-administer the abortion with a knitting needle. Fearful and desperate, she finally located an abortionist, and ends up in a hospital emergency ward where she nearly dies. In Happening, Ernaux sifts through her memories and her journal entries dating from those days. Clearly, cleanly, she gleans the meanings of her experience.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Happening” about?
Who is the author of “Happening”?
When was “Happening” published?
What is the ISBN for “Happening”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
