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