Happening - WINNER OF THE 2022 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE

Annie Ernaux, 23 and unmarried, becomes pregnant in 1963 and decides to have an abortion due to social stigma. She tries to self-administer it with a knitting needle but ends up in the hospital emergency ward, where she nearly dies. In Happening, Ernaux reflects on her memories and journal entries from that time, extracting the meanings of her experience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2022
Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

In 1963, Annie Ernaux, aged 23 and unmarried, faced a profound realization: she was pregnant. A wave of shame washed over her, as she grasped the undeniable truth that her pregnancy would condemn her and her family to social failure. With a heavy heart, she knew that she had no choice but to terminate the pregnancy. Forty years later, Ernaux recounts the harrowing tale of this trauma, which she never fully overcame.

Living in a France where abortion was strictly prohibited, Ernaux resorted to desperate measures in an attempt to self-administer an abortion using a knitting needle. Fear gripped her soul, and she was driven to the brink of desperation. After an agonizing search, she finally found an abortionist, leading her to a hospital emergency ward where her life was in danger.

In Happening, Ernaux delves into her memories and journal entries from that period. With a clear and concise voice, she extracts the profound meanings and lessons from her experience. Through her introspection, Ernaux sheds light on the societal pressures, gender norms, and personal struggles that shaped her decision and the aftermath.

The book explores the complexities of abortion, shedding light on the emotional toll it takes on women and the societal stigmas they face. Ernaux candidly shares her own experiences, including the fear, isolation, and guilt that accompanied her decision. She also highlights the lack of support and resources available to women in such situations, emphasizing the need for legal and emotional support for those facing difficult choices.

Happening is a powerful and poignant exploration of the human experience, offering a raw and honest account of a trauma that remains deeply personal to Ernaux. Through her storytelling, she challenges societal norms, encourages empathy, and advocates for reproductive rights. The book serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world.

Dimension: 197 x 114 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804270530