Edited by Sabrina Chapadjiev, with contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Carolyn Gage, Eileen Myles, Fly, Diane DiMassa, Bonfire Madigan, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein, Toni Blackman, Nicole Blackman, Silas Howard, Daphne Gottlieb, and Stephanie Howell.
Influences
“A stunning book. I found myself dreaming
conversations with some of the writers—engaging in the
conversation they begin here.”
- DOROTHY ALLISON author of ‘Bastard Out of Carolina’ ----------------------------------------
“This intimate book gives you all the tools for
self-emergence. Grabbing a pen, a crayon, a camera can
be the means to an artistic process that will help you
figure out who you are, and how you fit in."
- JANEANE GARAFOLO, comedienne---------------------------------------
“For women whose talents include a canny ability to
self-annihilate, this book is a tonic. Read it and
weep. Literally."
- JENNIFER BAUMGARDNER, author of 'Look Both Ways' ---------------------------------------
"The women in this collection give courageous insight
and inspiration to any artist struggling with self
destruction."
- SARA QUIN, from the band ‘TEGAN AND SARA’ ---------------------------------------
“This book could save your life. Twenty dangerously
smart women survive and conquer in this impassioned,
inspiring All Star Slam. Look to them as object
lessons, role models, creative heroines, or simply
proof that you are not alone.”
- JENNI OLSON, writer-director The Joy of Life ---------------------------------------
"Finally! A compendium of articulate artists who
detail their personal struggles to rise above the
traumas so many young women are usually forced to face
alone. 'Live Through This' showcases a diverse
sisterhood of outsiders who have bravely chosen to
tackle their demons, confront their tormentors, and in
turn create art which is both extremely intimate, yet
desires to inspire others to find the undeniable power
of their own voice."
- LYDIA LUNCH, author of 'Paradoxia: A Predator's Diary' ---------------------------------------
This moving anthology is for any person ever addicted
to drugs, madness, self-destruction in any and all
ways. It's comforting to know you're not alone, it's
comforting to know you were never alone.
- TRINA ROBBINS, author of 'GoGirl!, Tender Murderers: Women Who Kill, from
Girls to Grrlz' ---------------------------------------
"Sabrina Chapadjiev’s anthology, Live Through This: On Creativity and Self Destruction, strikes me in all ways as a carefully crafted object—which so few books are these days."
-COURTNEY MARTIN, author of "Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters" ---------------------------------------
In a collection of original stories, essays, artwork, and photography, Nan Goldin, Eileen Myles, bell hooks, and other cutting-edge artists explore their use of art to survive madness, abuse, incest, depression, and the impulse toward self-destruction manifest in eating disorders, cutting, addiction, and contemplation of suicide. The book confronts the brutality many women and girls encounter in the world around them, and bravely takes as its subject the often misunderstood violence they at times inflict upon themselves.
The diverse array of contributors here—novelists, poets, cartoonists, dancers, photographers, playwrights, burlesque performers—traverse the pains and passions that can both motivate and destroy women artists and mark a path for survival. Together they show that creative women are not destined to the fate of lost visionaries such as Woolf, Sexton, Arbus, and Plath. Live Through This is a fearless exploration of women’s silent rage, the power that can come from internal struggle, and the possibility of transforming this burning force into fierce and enlightened work.
Come see one of the most infamous, bloody, scandalous plays ever written with music composed & performed by Bonfire Madigan Shive. In San Francisco at ACT-SF June 5 thru July 6!
