Customer Reviews

Reconstructing Aphrodite

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I received this beautiful book as a gift, and was affected by it on many levels, in many ways. The photos and the stories told by these women are about shock, fear, intense questioning, bravery, and the profound desire to live a full life. I looked through and saw for the first time women with radical changes to their bodies, surgeries that had saved their lives and restored their peace of mind. I had never seen what reconstructive surgery could do (aside from those picture perfect breasts implants of the young and famous). I was seeing for the first time women whose breasts clearly showed the work of a skilled surgeon, whose scars were still there, of course, but were testimony to the fears and concerns these women had to deal with when they discovered their bodies had become diseased, their lives at risk and in question. Each of the photos is a portrait of solemnity, joy, pride in the beauty of these new and healthy breasts. Each story seems to say, I've chosen to live a full and healthy life, and the beauty of my body bears the marks of that tremendous decision.

"Reconstructing Ahprodite" is about living fully.

You might think that because you haven't had breast cancer, or because you're a man, that you have nothing to learn from the aptly named book Reconstructing Aphrodite. But you'd be wrong.

This collection of photographs and stories of women who've had reconstructive breast surgery following diagnoses of cancer is mesmerizing and inspiring. Each woman tells her own story, sensitively edited by Helga Hayse, revealing her fears, apprehension, decisiveness, and courage. Each story resonates with everyone who encounters this book.

The stories they tell-of genetic testing, of tumors missed in mammograms, of watching mothers and aunts die painful deaths-speak to all of us. They are funny and brave, practical and spiritual. These are mothers and daughters and sisters, young and old, and they are all the women we know. They are sharing a life-shattering experience with us and to read their words is to be a witness to their strength.

And as much as the stories move us, the photographs shock and amaze. The photographs, from photographer Terry Lorant, feel like personal notes from each woman to the reader. As if she were a friend, sending you her proud news. The pictures are sweet and sexy and honest and very emotional.

I read this entire book, including the detailed information about breast reconstruction at the end. Because, though I don't have breast cancer now, that doesn't mean my sisters or I won't be diagnosed in the future and I'd like to have both the practical resource information that this book provides and the inspiration of these amazing women.

As a woman who has had breast cancer and is looking at bilateral reconstruction, I found "Reconstructing Aphrodite" to be a book of hope, life, and beauty. The beauty is not in reconstruction without scars but is in the very scars themselves, scars that speak of courage, determination and, above all else, the choice to live life to the fullest. The reflections accompanying each photo communicate the pain of living with cancer. But the stories do not stop with pain; they continue with love, laughter, celebration, joy and delight in bodies that have more to say now than when they were flawless. A truly exquisite book in all ways, one that I will share with many other women because it is so real. The scars are not airbrushed; the pain is not denied. I came away from this book uplifted and encouraged by the lived experience of my sisters on the journey with breast cancer. Forget "Playboy"; the women who have lasting beauty are the ones in this book.

sometimes, the reconstruction goes well, the surgeon was kindly and skilled, and the women go on "to live fully"....what is missing everywhere i search, are the stories, the pictures, and the advice for women whose after-reconstruction stories aren't as graceful as what we find inside the covers of this book.....i wanted to write this review, as i am one of the unlucky women...one who suffers, and is fighting the medical and insurance establishments while in pain 24/7, and still waiting for my own healing after the nightmare of a drive-through bilateral mastectomy....i feel like any woman who sees this book should know there is another, darker side to this process....and very little assistance if things go wrong.

kathie larsyn M.Ed., M.C.

This book tastefully shares the reconstruction stories of women who have become even stronger and more beautiful through their breast cancer reconstruction. Highly recommended. I've shared it with friends as well....

I was diagnosed this past May, at age 41, with breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and immediately began the reconstruction process of tissue expander and silicone implant. I saw this book in my reconstructive surgeon's office and it just floored me. The women presented are simply beautiful, and their joy leaps out of each photograph. I'm hoping someone gives me this book for Christmas (hint, hint).

More often than not, the mere thought of breast cancer sends ripples of fear through one's mind. We automatically think of sickness, sorrow, loss. How quickly we relinquish our power.

Reconstructing Aphrodite is a book about deep beauty, intentional and inspirational action, love, faith, community, and living life fully. When I finished reading it, all I could think was "I feel less scared".

Beyond that, I realized that this book made me feel more powerful, more informed. Terry Lorant's beautiful images, along with these brave women's stories, present a positive and inspiring spin on this life-changing experience. They remind us of what is really important in this life.

What a contribution!

WHile this is a good book , "Goddesses DOn't Buy Green Bananas" does it better.

As the interviewer and compiler of the text profiles in Reconstructing Aphrodite, I think often about the work I do and what kind of a difference it makes in the lives of others.
Last night, I attended a spiritual healing ceremony for a friend who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. A small group of us recited and sang prayers for healing, held hands in a circle, and watched our stricken friend gather hope, strength, optimism and faith from our shared energy and love.
The cancer is small, self contained and the prognosis for recovery good. But it's comforting to know that if my friend needs more inspiration and information, this book is available for her and the millions of other women who may need it in the future.