A History of Touch [Paperback]

Bearing witness to women in history.

A History of Touchingis a poetry collection about women in folklore and history who were ill, disabled, or otherwise labelled hysteric. The work bears witness to the lives of women with varying experiences, such as a woman whose epilepsy was mistaken for demonic possession, Sarah Winchesters grief, Mary Roff and her love of leeches, and the witch, Biddy Early. There is a poem about Bridget Cleary, who upon displaying her independence was burned to death by her husband, believing her to be a changeling. The collection includes pieces on anchoresses, Rosemary Kennedy, and accused witches.A History of Touchingtells the stories of difficult women. Each poem discusses an aspect of or a moment in a womans life, connecting these moments to different aspects of embodiment and the natural world. A History of Touching is an examination of women vilified or left behind for their strength or their weakness. This book uses strong poetic imagery and metaphor to elevate details drawn from real life to that of poetry. The book comprises of three sections, each drifting between biographical poetry (Scrying, about Biddy Early), experimental poetry (Projections of a Glass Womb, which manipulates the text of a midwifery textbook), fairy tale sequences (What a Pretty Sight), folklore, (Macha, Flickers) and pieces that incorporate elements of confessional poetry (Bloodletting, Whiskers).

Erin Emily Ann Vance is the author of the novelAdvice for Taxidermists and Amateur Beekeepers(Stonehouse, 2019) and five chapbooks of poetry. She teaches creative writing to children and teenagers and is the co-host of the folklore and history podcast Femmes Macabres.

A lusciously morbid writer. -The People's Poetry Festival

A voice that is bright and new in a way that isnt self-conscious. - Afieya Kipp, author of Conversations in the Ego Graveyard

Chilling and infectious& Vance's poeticl{