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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1987)
5 - LAMBDA RISING BOOK REPORT Fiery Dworkin’s Chilling Words by Jane TVoxell ICE AND FIRE (Weideafeld & Nicolson, 181 pp. $14.95). INTERCOURSE (Macmillan, 257pp. $19.95). Both by Andrea Dworkin. April, 1987, was a very busy month for the leader of the anti-pornography mov ement. She headlined the controversial “Sex ual Liberals and their Attack on Feminism” One unnerving aspect of ICE AND Andrea Dworkin, 40, is a grave and conference, nearly inciting riot in the over FIRE is the lack of good characterization. serious woman, and she should be taken flow crowd; she saw the release of two long- Rarely does Dworkin bestow characters with seriously. Earlier works WOMAN HATING awaited works, ICE AND FIRE and INTER names, including the narrator, the boyfriend and PORNOGRAPHY confronted our mis COURSE; and she was the subject of an (known as “my love,” “my beautiful boy,” ogynist culture with brilliance and tenacity. unauthorized interview in a heinous rival’s “the boy I lived with,” “my lost friend,” However, Dworkin fails the reality check magazine, Penthouse. Even in the midst of all among others), the husband, and the publ when it comes to the basic premise of Inter this excitement and acclaim, Andrea Dworkin isher creep. (Not so coincidentally, though, course: seems to be the most angry and depressing Dworkin names most female characters, [Sexual intercourse! is intense, individual alive. including lesbian friends and lovers.) Dworkin often desperate. The internal fter reading her semi-autobiographical fails to develop important male characters to landscape is violent upheaval, a novel ICE AND FIRE, one could hardly the extent that we can never truly understand wild and ultimately cruel dis blame Dworkin for being bitter. The narrator, their impact on the narrator’s sexual identity. regard of human individuality, who remains nameless throughout the work, Most disturbing is that we are never to know not attached to personality, no goes on a journey to sexual self- how an intelligent, middle-class, college- respecter of boundaries; ending determination in which the thought of educated woman ever fell into such a fast- not in sexual climax but in a survival could make one want to die. From a paced life of drugs, prostitution, poverty, human tragedy of failed rela childhood marked by the constantly near decadence, and constant sexual abuse. Dwor tionships, vengeful bitterness in death condition of her mother and the abs kin herself acknowledges that the strength of an aftermath of sexual heat, per ence of her father because of it, to college days the book is not in its plot. sonality corroded by too much Dworkin achieves with great success, at an elite women’s school, to prostitution in endurance of undesired, habi New York City, to drugged-out times in though, the brilliant construction of the intr tual intercourse, conflict. The Europe, to destitute living as a writer, the icate psyche of one intense and deeply feeling experience of fucking changes narrator finds herself being used for sex and woman writer/thinker subjected to a male- people, so that they are often relying on that sex for food, drugs, pub defined society in which she must struggle to lost to each other and slowly lication, etc. At one point, the woman sleeps find some sanity and personal power. Using they are lost to human hope. with a man in return for saving her from herself as model, Dworkin has created a rad The pain of having been expo ical feminist whose greatest argument is that being raped by another man. sed, so naked, leads to hiding, ICE AND FIRE is one woman’s strug she lived through the woman-hate. Dworkin’s self-protection, building barr gle for sexual identity; however, her story character plainly states, “I’m a feminist, not icades, emotional and physical speaks to many women whose potential for the fun kind.” alienation or violent retaliation Whereas the novel ICE AND FIRE is sexual autonomy has been sacrificed for day- against anyone who gets too to-day survival. Dworkin’s first novel no sitcom, Dworkin’s latest nonfiction close. screams out reality and is, at times, chilling. INTERCOURSE is a “situation tragedy” - When this reviewer’s mother read this, The writing is clear, crisp, and crude. Nothing for all women. By their biological situation of she said, this doesn’t apply to my about the language used in ICE AND FIRE having “openings,” women are reduced to a marriage.” “Well, I doubt that it does. is “lady-like,” and that pleased this reviewer. class of inferior status. The thesis of INTER No matter whether with her In fact, many folks would find Dworkin’s COURSE is that the act for which the book is assessment as to the cause you of agree sexism or not, sexual depictions pornographic. Dworkin’s entitled must be abolished. The mere physical Dworkin has compiled a good argument employment of the English language is more nature of heterosexual intercourse neces against the current societal perception of than effective in allowing the reader to join in sitates the abandonment of the practice in intercourse. Using historical the hell through which this junkie/prostitute order for the sexes to achieve any semblance heterosexual and literary references, feminist goes to establish herself as a writer and rad of equality, according to Dworkin. This may analysis of the persecution including of Joan of Arc and ical feminist. At one point, I was so enthralled not seem important to many lesbians, but works by Tennessee Williams, Tolstoy, and in ICE AND FIRE that I missed my stop on Dworkin asserts that a direct link exists James Baldwin, radical theorist Dworkin the subway and had to ride to the end of the between the “institution” of intercourse and proves that intercourse “often expresses hos sexism which affects all women. line. tility or anger as well as dominance.” (A id ra a D w o rkin by J e rry Bnuert However, Dworkin’s solution is not viable. The outlaw of sex in order to stop sexism is analagous to outlawing race in order to end racism. The origin of sexism comes from somewhere else other than women’s private parts. In the case of sexual intercourse, Dworkin’s fire does not melt ice. ICE AND FIRE and INTERCOURSE are both fascinating reading, as is Dworkin a fascinating personality. As a result of her anger, Dworkin’s female characters - and all women - appear in a constant state of vic timization. Only in her solitude does ICE AND FIRE’s narrator find her own identity and sense of control. Now, if she could only take it out into the world. Jane Troxell is a member of the BOOK REPORT editorial staff. Other Ways to Put the Squeeze on AIDS by Kent Fordyce For those people who want an alternative approach in health care, for those who have become disillusioned with their doctors, for those who believe that there is presently no home with the “establishment” medical treatment, here are some new publications that should renew your optimism. AIDS: A GUIDE TO SURVIVAL, by Peter Tatchell (Paperback, $6.95), is a very positive British book that gives a comprehensive program for strengthening the body’s natural defenses, and gives techniques for meditation and mental imagery to sustain self-valuation and the will to live. The book has an excellent appendix to help positively organ ize one’s thought and activities on a daily schedule. Tatchell firmly believes that by fighting back mentally and physically, people with the virus can reduce their chance of developing AIDS, and that even those who already have AIDS can increase their likelihood of survival. ALTERNATIVE & HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE FOR AIDS & ITS PREVENTION, by Paul N. Van Ness (Pamphlet, $3.00), is an excellent source book with an extensive bib liography for library reading. It has chapters with explan ations and descriptions covering vitamin C therapy, macrobio tics, massage, accupuncture, homeopathy, and more. One of the best things about it is that it gives quidelines for choosing a practitioner or doctor and guidelines for personal evaluation of them. While it’s geared for the Washington, D.C., and Maryland community, its value is real for everyone concerned. CONQUERING AIDS NOW, by Scott L. Gregory and Bianca Leonardo (Paperback, $15.95), is a book about natural treatment with heavy emphasis on dietary control using certain foods, vitamins, and plenty of natural and chemically un-natural things to ingest, annally insert and eliminate. Personally, I would be hesitant about the hydrogen peroxide and certain other suggestions. However, this book, although a loosely organized conglomeration, just might have a chapter or two that would perfectly fit an individual's needs. HEALING AIDS NATURALLY, by Laurence Badgley (Paperback, $14.95), is a self-help book which details the actual natural therapy programs of eight survivors. Using homeopa thic medicine, it addresses the total person, physically and spiritually, in a holistic approach for improving the immune system of the virally affected person. The majority of the text covers nutrition of the body and the mind and the best means. remedies, foods, and techniques for achieving a “balanced state” within the whole being. This is one of the outstanding small press contributions. HEALING FROM WITHIN, by Dennis T. Jaffe (Paperback, $7.95), views good health as living in harmony with one’s inner self. It’s a practical guide combining holistic techniques with traditional medicine that synthesizes a broad range of information on disease and self-healing. Specific exercises are given to reintegrate mind and body, to control stress and enhance relaxation. It defines illness from physio logical and psychological perspectives, and can teach how to develop those attitudes which foster good health and which can help to overcome disease. book’s strongest premise is that holistic health is primarily a matter of attitude and spirit; that immunity to disease can be strongly influenced by attitudes, choices, spirit, and behavior. Its appendix includes a section on cleansing baths, other anti-viral and pro-immune substances, flower essences, and a thorough resource directory. Definitely a good buy. WHAT TO DO ABOUT AIDS, edited by Leon McKu sick (Paperback, $8.95), covers the psychological aspects of AIDS, the struggle to combat the devastating repercussions that follow a positive diagnosis with a collection of articles by physicians and mental health professionals presenting innovative, noncompartmentalized approaches to treatment with concentration on risk reduction and mental health issues. If you want to read a book that is primarily aimed at physicians and therapists before you jump into one of the more unorthodox titles, try this one. Although somewhat of a downer, optimism does surface in several chapters. WINNING THE WAR WITHIN, by Mark P. Fried- lander, Jr. and Terry M. Phillips (Paperback, $10.95), leads to an understanding of the immune system. While giving rules for eating right and rules for dealing with stress, it empha sizes eating well, being optimistic, getting adequate sleep, and using medications and stimulants with care. This book will help you “psych” yourself into good health. What all of these books emphasize is good personal health care. All suggest good diets, light exercise, no stimu lants or recreational drugs. Stop smoking. Stop drinking alcohol. And of prime importance is the obliteration of stress and tension totally from one’s life, lb help with the stress and tension, try one of the many audio tapes available on tension control or meditation. Also, consider Louise L. Hay’s books, YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE (Paperback, $10.00), or HEAL YOUR BODY (Pamphlet, $3.00), and her audio cassettes, AIDS: A POSITIVE APPROACH ($10.00), or YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE STUDY COURSE ($25.00). Please, take good care of yourself. MAXIMUM IMMUNITY, by Michael A. Weiner (Paperback, $4.50), is a popular commercial book that explains ways to fortify the body against diseases through a diet with increased immune-boosting nutrients, exercises to strengthen natural resistance, and mind strategies to reduce tension and stress. PSYCHOIMMUNITY & THE HEALING PROCESS, edited by Jason Serin us (Paperback, $9.96), is a compendium Kent Fordyce is a member of the BOOK REPORT editorial (Elisabeth Kubler Ross. Margo Adair, Jack Schwarz, et al.) of staff. interviews, essays, meditations, trance channelings and resources on non-traditional ways to challenge AIDS. This