A visceral look at the bizarre entanglement of destructive and creative forces, Live Through This is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork, and photography. It explores the use of art to survive abuse, incest, madness and depression, and the often deep-seated impulse toward self-destruction including cutting, eating disorders, and addiction. Here, some of our most compelling cartoonists, novelists, poets, dancers, playwrights, and burlesque performers traverse the pains and passions that can both motivate and destroy women artists, and mark a path for survival. Taken together, these artful reflections offer an honest and hopeful journey through a woman's silent rage, through the power inherent in struggles with destruction, and the ensuing possibilities of transforming that burning force into the external release of art.
With contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy C. Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Carolyn Gage, Eileen Myles, Fly, Diane DiMassa, Bonfire Madigan Shive, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein, Toni Blackman, Nicole Blackman, Silas Howard, Daphne Gottleib, and Stephanie Howell.

Reader Reviews

Emilia P

(3/5)

May 03, 2024

Oh you stinker, the contemporary sort-of-minority essay anthology, you!So easy to read, so briefly touching on concepts of meaning, and so disposable in the end! I think I got to this by way of something else that was recommended by Dorothy Alison...or maybe because Kate Bornstein had contributed. There were some great contributions (many of them illustrated!) and a lot of meh/obvious ones and a few infuriating ones (the lady who wrote a poem about anorexia without ever having been anorexic and

Sabrina Chap

(5/5)

Sorta hard to not like it since I worked so hard on this book. If you like it- check out the youtube interviews I did with the authors. Just type my last name 'Chapadjiev' into youtube and you should find em. There are interviews with Carol Queen, Nicole Blackman, Bonfire Madigan, Daphne Gottlieb, Cristy Road, Silas Howard, Inga Muscio, Stephanie Howell and others! They have some great things to say! Also- if you're at a college- I speak and do workshops on the gender, self-destruction, and art

tish

The collection of writers Sabrina has pulled together is impressive, and their honesty about really hard shit in their lives is inspiring. Read it and pass it on to your friends.

Megan

i've owned this book for a long time but resisted reading it; was reluctant to enter this kind of emotional space. then eileen myles read her essay that's in here (which is worth the cost, really) when she read in chicago, but i still couldn't bring myself to touch it. then i met the editor (whose stage name is sabrina chap) when we both performed at sappho's salon, at a time when i was finally allowing myself to enter this space again with my own writing, so i took the book off the shelf, and w...

Ilze

(1/5)

The essays in this volume are a disturbing repeat of what Alice Miller and Julia Cameron have been saying for years - turn your trauma into art - so why have another book on the topic? What new insights do the essayists bring that I haven't heard before? Add Fat and Furious to the mix, and honestly, there is nothimg more to say.My disappointment lies in the fact that I was under the impression that I was buying a book about Sylvia Plath/Anne Sexton ... but I read it anyway and feel the obsce...

butterbook

Collected writings by women on the relationship between the creative process and self-destruction, whether it be alcoholism, eating disorders, cutting, drug abuse, etc. Some essays were great, others lacked. I was very excited about this collection because it is something I have put a lot of thought into but have never seen written about. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the results (with the exception of a few great essays, which are listed below). Looking back through the book I realize

Lillian

oh man. this book is perfect in so many ways!!! firstly is that it was such a thoughtful souvenir from my special lady. second is that some of my all time favourite artists are represented (nan goldin, kate bornstein, nicole blackman). and tertiarillest, it is a wonderful introduction to other, new, females that i totally relate to. their expression is so honest that it simultaneously breaks my heart and makes it soar.

Tam Starita

(4/5)

I picked up this book initially as some of the stories resonated with me. I was curious about the relationship between self-destruction and creativity. It was really heart-felt to go inside the minds of these amazing artists as they fight for themselves. Some of the stories are so deep and dark. The artwork and illustrations are amazing (and often quite dark). I quite admired all of these artists who are willing to share their stories in hope that others can learn from it.

Monica

This book makes me cry with the beauty and fearlessness that each writer shares their truth. We all need to learn to take better care of ourselves. These essays remind us that not only is this necessary, but actually possible. Also, sometimes, the pain of the journey can create powerful and inspiring art- in it's various forms.

Annie

This book is fantastic - it has the power to change lives. Sabrina is a visionary, as are all the empowered, fascinating, talented female artists whose work comprises this collection. A must-read for all women who've battled their emotions and their selves.

Mariette Mchale

Man, the third or fourth essay in this is written by an African American woman who grew up in Alabama and her dad was shot - as she's writing this she's in her 50's - it is so rough to read, it just makes you sad, but it's beautiful...really enjoying it so far...

Billie Rain

i must have really liked this book because i read it cover-to-cover in less than 24 hours! i definitely related to the stories in this book.

Jeanthesecond

I was disappointed in this. I found the introduction to have the most profound statements.

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Live Through This: On Creativity and Self-Destruction

Live Through This: On Creativity and Self-Destruction

Live Through This: On Creativity and Self-Destruction

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