"The Stupefaction: stories and a novella" by Diane Williams
an earlier review of this important book
Only Diane Williams could get away with her writing. I am not sure how she does it. She says what nobody else says. Perhaps because she is a woman she has the liberty to be forthcoming in ways deemed inappropriate by men. Or perhaps she is saying better, and more honestly, what men have been trying to say all along.
The Stupefaction: stories and a novella by Diane Williams;Hardcover, 176 pages; Published May 21st 1996 by Knopf (first published 1996); Original Title: Stupefaction, The: Stories and a novella; ISBN: 0679441867 (ISBN13: 9780679441861)
Only Diane Williams could get away with her writing. I am not sure how she does it. She says what nobody else says. Perhaps because she is a woman she has the liberty to be forthcoming in ways deemed inappropriate by men. Or perhaps she is saying better, and more honestly, what men have been trying to say all along. Nonetheless, Williams is shocking. And real. Similar to being on the receiving end of a slap of fresh, cold air. Of course, this reader rarely knows exactly what Williams is talking about, ever, but intuitively understands it is certainly about sex, politics, communication, and relationships.
…The cause of my serenity may be that I am not ashamed to just go through the motions of having naked power and ambition, as in fucking.
This burgeoning is gratifying…
I especially enjoy her short pieces. But the novella is not unlike the shorter pieces. Connected in some way, but not indifferent to what has come before. It is possible that Williams, through all her books, is simply writing one long novel. Or her life story. Regardless, she is a power to be reckoned with, if one has the courage to nakedly enter her world of words.
…I could do that.
I graze the back of her hand with the tail end of his penis and when you are inside of me, this is not unlike my reaching down into a barrel or a big pail for something which I want, which is out of my reach, but the barrel needs to be knocked over onto its side.
When I was confused, he poked a finger up into her vagina. This time, at least, I am not waiting for matters to be made clear…
It is difficult to put a finger on where Williams is coming from. Is it art or some need to pick away at a carcass in order to discover its origin? Does she have a bone to pick or is she just extremely adventurous and courageous to climb out on this shaky limb? Whatever, I read her, and you should too.
…The temperature of the room is cool. I want to pet you, but not your private part. I would not touch it with a fork. You would think if I could tolerate the bedside clock that I could bind up your parcel with the cord!
They did not know why I felt this way…
what an incredible novella... i re-read it once in a while and it stupefies every time