In 'The Reckonings', Lacy M. Johnson weaves a powerful narrative that explores the intersections of trauma, redemption, and the intricate dance of memory. Drawing from her own life experiences, Johnson delves into the aftermath of violence, both personal and societal, and how it shapes identities. As she navigates her journey towards healing, the author poses profound questions about accountability and forgiveness. The evocative prose is not just a reflection on the past, but an invitation to confront the reckoning that each of us must face. Prepare to be challenged and captivated by a story that lingers long after the last page.
By Lacy M. Johnson
Published: 2019
"We are all shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, but it is in the reckoning that we find the courage to rewrite them."
“Unflinching and honest…both timely and timeless” (Houston Chronicle), this extraordinary collection of essays by the award-winning writer of The Other Side—rooted in her own experience with sexual assault—pursues questions that strike at the heart of our national conversation about the justness of society. In 2014, Lacy Johnson was giving a reading from The Other Side, her “instant classic” (Kirkus Reviews) memoir of kidnapping and rape, when a woman asked her what she would like to happen to her rapist. This collection “attempts to parcel out several knotted problems and suggests forms of meaningful justice” (Booklist, starred review). Drawing from philosophy, art, literature, mythology, anthropology, film, and her own experience of violence, Johnson considers how our ideas about justice might be expanded beyond vengeance and retribution to include acts of compassion, patience, mercy, and grace. “The Reckonings is not a book about changing the world. It’s philosophy in disguise, equal parts memoir, criticism, and ethics…The twelve essays deserve great consideration, while you read it and long after” (NPR). From “Speak Truth to Power,” about the condition of not being believed about rape and assault; to “Goliath,” about the ways evil is used as a form of social control; to “The Fallout,” about ecological and generational violence, Johnson creates masterful, elaborate, gorgeously written essays that speak incisively about our current era. She grapples with justice and retribution, truth and fairness, and sexual assault and workplace harassment, as well as the broadest societal wrongs: the BP Oil Spill, government malfeasance, police killings. The Reckonings is a powerful and necessary work, ambitious in its scope, which “challenges our culture’s expectations of justice and expose the limits of vengeance and mercy” (Ms. Magazine).
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“We are all shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, but it is in the reckoning that we find the courage to rewrite them.”
The Reckonings
By Lacy M. Johnson
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Lacy M. Johnson is an acclaimed writer, educator, and activist known for her profound exploration of trauma, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. She is the author of several notable works, including the memoirs 'The Reckonings,' which examines the aftermath of personal trauma and societal injustices, and 'Trespasses,' a raw and poignant reflection on survival and healing. Johnson's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose and deep emotional insight, drawing readers into her deeply personal narratives while challenging them to engage with broader societal issues. She is a professor of creative writing at the University of Houston and has contributed essays and other writings to various esteemed publications.
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