Quote

Lily had promised herself, her little leg, that -- number one -- she will never let it be cut off. And -- number two -- she will never let it be obliterated by a miracle. The idea of betraying so valiant a limb, which has carried and marched beyond the call of duty. To say, here is your reward: to cease to be -- to become, instead, a false twin for the good leg. Her bad leg is special because it is so strong. Lily has learned, however, that to others it is special because it is weak. No one, not even Our Lady, will get their holy waters on her little leg.

-- p.351, Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Germ of an Idea

I've tossed this idea around for a long time: A website with personal reviews of books and movies from a disability culture perspective. Yes, I know the world hardly needs one more blog, but I don't think the world has seen a blog like the one I want to write. At least that's my theory of why the idea won't just go away and leave me alone. That plus some unflattering narcissism, I suppose. Anyway.

So. This blog will be for book and movie critiques that focus on the treatment and characterization of disability. I imagine I will also find time for periodic tirades of a political nature regarding disability rights. We'll see how it goes.

Some things to point out right away:

1) There WILL be spoilers in my critiques. The use of disability and disabled characters is almost never incidental to plot and/or characterization, so an analysis of disability will contain information about plot and character that will give away some surprises in storytelling. It's a necessary evil of my project here. You've been warned.

2) In the tradition of literary criticism, my critiques will aim to be stand-alone commentaries that supplement the works they are about but don't require you to read or watch them for yourself. I want a written record of my own thoughts about cultural works I've experienced, and I want a way to convey my thoughts to someone who hasn't seen the work and may not otherwise see what I do. I consider this a fun personal challenge. I'm weird that way.

3) My purpose is not to recommend or discourage others from experiencing the works I critique. I don't expect to be handing out stars, though if I personally love a work I will say so. I believe some cultural works can be completely obnoxious politically and still be worth the experience. A work could also be very positive in it's portrayal of disabled persons, but be an artistic mess. I'm mostly concerned with the disability angle, and I'll try to keep my eye on that.

4) Updates to this blog will be irregular. I'm a thoughtful and slow writer. Check back, would ya?

5) Comments on my writing and suggestions for future critiques are welcomed. I'd even consider guest critiques. And disagreements.

Thanks for reading this far. This initial list may change over time. Look back when you think of it.