As an author and career communicator, I second Maggie Mayhem’s statement in the introduction to Adventures in Bodily Autonomy that stories have more power than statistics when it comes to provoking thought and instigating change. The stories in this anthology may be mainly fantasy, sci-fi and speculative, but the protagonists could all be women you know, for even futuristic stories can only be seen through our present-day lens of women in an era when an unshattered glass ceiling is merely the tip of the equal-rights iceberg. This collection’s exploration of the most fundamental human right—the right to control our own bodies—could, of course, not be more timely. And all the proceeds are going to Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America).
The anthology, edited by Raven Belasco, applies its themes of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy loosely; some of the 14 stories are more journeys of self-discovery, addressing the need to embrace and assert one’s identity, including, in some cases, one’s sexuality.
“Goodnight Moons” presents a thought-provoking scenario in which an astronaut learns she’s pregnant on her way into space. The safest option is to abort, but her husband has other ideas. He alerts the media, and the resulting hype forces NASA’s hand; they declare she will have the baby. That means she can’t return to Earth because a baby gestated, born and raised in outer space won’t survive the gravitational impact of traveling or living on Earth. So Zoë remains in space. Like many of these stories, you can simply enjoy it as a futuristic adventure. Or you can take a minute and ponder. The decision of whether or not to carry her baby to term is taken away first by her husband and then the government, with no consideration of the long-term impacts on the child or the mother. The story is an effective commentary on how reproductive decisions are too often made by policy-makers and society rather than those most affected.
In “Just Killing Time,” is more a mother-daughter revenge story than an exploration of bodily autonomy, but it’s a wonderful read. A dying mother transfers her dying daughter’s soul into the body of a recently killed mobster’s girlfriend, but Kari’s memories are lost. Stark dreams plug the necessary pieces of her past life into Kari’s consciousness so she can fulfill her mother’s revenge wish against the man who killed them both.
“As the Tide Came Flowing In” bears mentioning because it is a simply beautiful read. This story of a woman whose husband is lost at sea on a whaling expedition is told in embroidered layers of prose that will have you savoring the language as much as the tale.
“The Things Melati Learns” spirals into horror but—surprise—the true monster isn’t the creature of bizarre form and substance but the cruel, misogynistic and very human husband.
For me, the key takeaway from Adventures in Bodily Autonomy is sobering but necessary to hear: The battle over bodily autonomy will always be with us. The overturning of Row v. Wade “was a process that has been unfolding over time beginning from the moment that ruling was first delivered,” as Mayhem also points out. Yes, there was a respite, but we can never be complacent. This anthology succeeds in taking our imagination to places where we can consider from new angles the restrictions on women’s bodies and lives. Sadly, we can see the real results of those restrictions simply by reading the news or talking to our friends. Pick up this book today, to support a good cause and stimulate both your imagination and your resolve.