Under My Bed and Other Essays

Jody Keisner was raised in rural Nebraska by a volatile father and passive mother. As a young adult, she began a nighttime ritual of checking under her bed, fearing an intruder, monster, or her father. Keisner's fears mature as she becomes a wife and mother, and the boogeyman under the bed shape-shifts, including a drowning, chest chomp, autoimmune disease, murder, and reincarnation. In Under My Bed and Other Essays, Keisner searches for the roots of violence and fear that afflict women, illustrating the tension between safety, control, and our struggle to keep the things we fear from reaching out and pulling us under.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2022
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Jody Keisner, raised in rural Nebraska towns by a volatile father and kind but passive mother, embarked on a journey of self-discovery as a young adult living alone for the first time. Each night, she would anxiously check under her bed, unsure of who or what she feared might be lurking beneath. The fear that once seemed childish and manageable grew more complex as she became a wife and mother, and the boogeyman under the bed took on new forms, each more terrifying than the last.

Keisner's fears evolved as she grappled with the responsibilities of adulthood. The once-familiar shapes of the boogeyman took on new meanings, reflecting her concerns about the safety of her family, the health of her children, and her own mental well-being. The drowning of a young aunt, the iconic "chest chomp" scene from the horror movie The Thing, the diagnosis of a chronic autoimmune disease, the murder of a young college student, and the eccentric grandmother's belief in reincarnation and her dying advice all became part of Keisner's fears.

In her book, Under My Bed and Other Essays, Keisner delves deep into the roots of violence and fear that afflict women. She explores the working-class midwestern family she was adopted into, shedding light on the societal pressures and expectations that shaped her early years. Through a series of essays, both literary and experimental, Keisner illustrates the intricate tension between the illusion of safety, our desire for control, and our constant struggle to protect ourselves from the things we fear.

Keisner's writing is raw and honest, reflecting her own experiences and the experiences of those around her. She challenges readers to confront their fears and anxieties, and to explore the ways in which they shape our lives. Under My Bed and Other Essays is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and to the importance of facing our demons head-on.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496230478