About this title: One of today's best young American writers transforms into a work of art the darkest passage imaginable in a young woman's life: an obsessive love affair between father and daughter.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: 1st Edition
Binding: Softcover; 1st Printing
Publisher: Random House, New York
Date Published: 1997
Description: VG+/NONE. 13, 21 1st edition/1st printing. This collectible softcover advance reading copy is clean and tight. The text block is tight without marks or tears. The upper corners are just a touch worn otherwise the book would be near fine. 'In this extraordinary memoir, one of the best writers in America today transforms into a work of art the darkest passage imaginable in a young woman's life: an obsessive love affair between father and daughter that began when Kathryn Harrison was twenty years ... read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780007659043ISBN:0007659040
Description: Very Good. No major defects-unabridged, clean, complete, not falling apart; some light wear. A perfectly good reading or reference copy. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Avon Books
Date Published: 1998-06-01
ISBN-13:9780380731473ISBN:0380731479
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780380731473. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: softcover
Publisher: Random House, NY
Date Published: (1997)
Description: Advance reading copy of her controversial book, about an incestuous affair the author had with her father when she was in her twenties. Fine in wrappers. read more
Edition: 1st ed 2nd ptg
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Random, NY
Date Published: (1997)
Description: VG in VG DJ. A father & daughter's reunion when she is 20 results in a unique kiss. Scrape where sticker removed from ft endpaper. Remainder mark. read more
"This book just annoys me. Harrison tells a story about which we are duly shocked. Fine, fine. Problem is, she refuses to acknowledge her own complicity in the affair. I can handle tough stuff, so it's not the subject matter that irks me. It's Harrison's total lack of awareness and reflection. I hate it that this is on so many CNF syllabi, unless it is used as an example of how NOT to write a memoir."
"This book is a memoir, which makes the storyline all the more disturbing, since the author is relaying the details of her incestuous affair with her father. More disturbing still was the distant voice with which Harrison tells the story. The feel of the narrative is that of a speaker that isn't being entirely honest with herself. It's obvious that she understands the preconceptions of the outside world and is trying to tell the story in an appeasing fashion. It is as though she wants the reader to believe that she is the victim in order to be excused from their judgment. It was a fascinating read because Harrison is willing to share her story at all, but in the end, I wasn't entirely convinced of her honesty."
""A memior of an obsessive love affair between father and daughter that began when the author, then twenty, was reunited with the father whose absence haunted her youth".
I picked this book up at the library while looking for something else. I knew it would be a "one sitting" read because the print was huge and pages few, so what the heck, I will give it a try.
Shocking, heart-wrenching, taboo..... doesn't bother me, but too many in Book Club would find it squeamish, so I won't be recommending it."
"This book is haunting, and not only for the reasons one might think from the book jacket. It is sprinkled with reminders of what we all do when we live in darkness and loneliness; the explorations of our world (and self) that end up traumatizing us, that we never tell anyone else about. These are the scenes in this book I will never forget... and won't expound upon, because I want it to hit you just as hard when you read this book.
The structure of The Kiss isn't always chronological, linear, or seemingly logical, but it flows well, and from an obviously organic place. The author maintains a strong literary voice despite the passion of the subject matter, and manages to maintain an articulate distance while bringing the reader within full-view of what happened, and the agony it brought. It doesn't get too psychological, but her analysis (likely after years of professional analysis) not only help the reader understand her ultimate motivations and experience, but our own."
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