The Red Parts
Autobiography of a Trial
(Author) Maggie NelsonSelected as a Book of the Year 2017 in the Guardian'Maggie Nelson's short, singular books feel pretty light in the hand... But in the head and the heart, they seem unfathomably vast, their cleverness and odd beauty lingering on' ObserverIn 1969, Jane Mixer, a first-year law student at the University of Michigan, posted a note on a student noticeboard to share a lift back to her hometown of Muskegon for spring break. She never made it- she was brutally murdered, her body found a few miles from campus the following day.The Red Partsis Maggie Nelson's singular account of her aunt Jane's death, and the trial that took place some 35 years afterward. Officially unsolved for decades, the case was reopened in 2004 after a DNA match identified a new suspect, who would soon be arrested and tried. In 2005, Nelson found herself attending the trial, and reflecting with fresh urgency on our relentless obsession with violence, particularly against women. Resurrecting her interior world during the trial - in all its horror, grief, obsession, recklessness, scepticism and downright confusion - Maggie Nelson has produced a work of profound integrity and, in its subtle indeterminacy, deadly moral precision.
Maggie Nelson
Maggie Nelson is an American writer known for her unique blend of poetry, memoir, and criticism. She is the author of several notable works, including "Bluets," a lyrical exploration of love and loss, and "The Argonauts," a groundbreaking memoir that challenges traditional notions of gender and family.
Nelson's writing style is characterized by its honesty, vulnerability, and intellectual rigor. She is known for her ability to blend personal experience with complex theoretical ideas, creating works that are both intimate and intellectually stimulating.
Nelson's contributions to literature have had a significant impact on the genre of creative nonfiction, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to write about the self. Her work has been praised for its originality, insight, and emotional depth.
One of Nelson's most famous works is "The Argonauts," which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism in 2015. The book has been widely acclaimed for its fearless exploration of identity, love, and the complexities of modern family life. Overall, Maggie Nelson is a writer whose work continues to inspire and challenge readers, making her a prominent voice in contemporary literature.
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