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Book Review: A Vulnerable Look at Reproductive Rights

Writer's picture: Jean AlgerJean Alger


On August 27th, 2024, the Narrow Gauge Book Cooperative hosted Pam Houston at Society Hall in Alamosa, for a pre-release event for her latest book, Without Exception: Reclaiming Abortion, Personhood, and Freedom, out September 3, 2024 from Torrey House Press. 


The evening was a success for us, and Pam was pure delight as she read from her book and handled Q&A like the pro she is. I hadn’t read her book yet, and felt even more eager to do so after interacting with her and hearing her read from its pages. 


Last week, I sat down intending to read a few pages and found myself devouring the entire volume in a sitting. These 160 pages are riveting and exquisitely written. 


Without Exception is unflinching in its honesty about the importance of abortion to the well-being and freedom of women, queer, and trans people in the United States. A mix of facts and personal experience, Pam delivers a powerful and insightful argument for the reestablishment of Roe v. Wade, to further promote the health and well-being of all American citizens. 


In her book, she does a lot with a little, as this slim volume of 60 micro chapters is only 160 pages, including her acknowledgements page. She shares incredibly vulnerable details about her life, including horrific childhood and adolescent abuse at the hands of her father, and her three (possibly four) abortion stories. 


Mixed with her personal experiences, she cites data that shows that easy and unrestricted access to abortion is good for the health of women, children, and a nation as a whole. I was pleased, too, with her discussion of gender and her inclusion of trans people in the abortion discussion. Many people focus so much on abortion as an issue of women’s rights, and overlook the importance of reproductive freedom when it comes to access to gender affirming healthcare. I was grateful that she discussed gender identity, and the importance of bodily autonomy and privacy for all people. 


This book provides a vulnerable and intimate understanding of just some of the ways that lack of choice around reproductive health care can impact a person’s life. It’s a must-read volume, especially now and in the coming years and political landscape.


5 stars. Find it on our shelves today!


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