Review: Distress Through Biology
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 27, 2012
This novel takes a candid look at the woman's thought process and the emotional swings associated with suffering through menstruation, while dealing with adversity (such as an antagonistic boss). It also examines the affliction women face in both cultural and spiritual contexts, referring to the fable (or biblical fact, depending on your viewpoint) that women are punished for their misdeed in the Garden of Eden. The plight of dealing with the opposite sex, who is free of suffering, has a profound effect on the protagonist's view. Eve says of men: "They're all capable of being Hitlers in my view--each and every one of them!" With thoughts like these rolling around in her head, the reader is inclined to wonder what exactly she might she be capable of doing, and if she will act out on her lethal fantasies. Vividly written, McDowell writes a deft page turner that is heavy on internal characterization and keeps the reader intrigued.