Customer Reviews

Shock Treatment

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw Karen perform at the University of Kentucky in 1991. This book is a collection of her blistering spoken word pieces. Her monologues, ranging on topics from censorship to the pain of alienation to emotional/sexual abuse are at turns enraging, tragic, and unexpectedly humorous. Anyone who complains about her graphic use of language is missing the point. She wants to shock you, to make you angry, to make you think.

Karen Finley, the infamous performance artist and all-around potty mouth, shatters taboos aplenty in this powerful collection of monologues. With her inimitable ability to make obscenity, rage, and even indifference somehow empowering, she weaves a tapestry of social horrors, including but by no means limited to female oppression, incest, homophobia, physical abuse, and sexual depravity. Finley's "take no prisoners" confrontations with social ills leave little to the imagination--but leave the reader with a great deal to think about. One section of the book is entitled "Quotes from a Hysterical Female," and I think that pretty fairly represents the frustrated and maddened mentality from which Finley's sometimes laughingly absurd and sometimes despairingly tragic observations eminate. Of course, it's not a book for everyone--it's probably won't be wrapped up in Norman Rockwell paper for Aunt Martha's birthday present, and it probably won't fight for any tree space in most Currier and Ives Christmas scenes, but it is a collection of truths from the tip-toe precipice of insanity... for those who aren't afraid of what they might find. So, Tipper, you can't say you weren't warned..

Karen Finley unleashes vulgar sarcasm and contempt towards the very society that allows her to publish such profanity, but her messages become loud and clear, only after the initial shock wears off. Her essays illustrate issues of sexual abuse, misogyny and corporate greed (just to name a few) and confront the bitter realities of society that many try hard to deny or keep out of the comfort zone of awareness. This is a raw uncensored cathartic tirade of a woman "checking some major emotional baggage". If you can't handle hearing of harsh realities of life and vulgar words, this book is not for you. I personally, found the profanity somewhat excessive, (minus two stars) and this is a major part of her method here. Some parts made me angry, but other parts had me laughing hysterically. This book is bound to invoke and trigger some strong thoughts and feelings relating to your own issues (if you are willing to admit you have any).

If you can get past the shock of the sensationalized vulgarity and barrage of four letter words & slang body part names without abandoning the book, you will feel the intensity of her angst..(you may even share some). She also includes some humourously vulgar and obnoxious original artwork to add to the 'treatment'.

This book will make a great stocking stuffer to instigate any Politically Correct, Ultra Conservative, Right Wing, Anti-Free Speech advocates on your holiday shopping list.

I was very satisfied with the condition of the book and how fast I got it.

There were some truly moving poems/prose in this book, but for the most part, the vulgarity seems forced and used strictly for sensationalism. Like maybe no one would listen if she weren't causing a stir with foul language. Performance art just doesn't seem to translate well onto paper.

I am a huge fan of Karen Finley and I found this compilation of works to be very well put together. I have read many of them separately, but am so much happier to have them all together. I loved it.

ok, this isnt so much a review as a question to mrs. finley. i was to do a paper for my english class on whether i thought the book Shock Treatment had any redeaming social value. now, my view on the whole thing was that this was a series of attacks on the U.S. government along with the many horrible things it has done to America, mainly by giving christian white males all of the power. it was disturbing, but at least someone finally got the guts to tell it like it is. so, i was wondering mrs. finley if this was at all what you trying to say to your reader, especially after the NEA controversy. :) and thanks for the shock treatment, America needed that!

Upon recommendation, I picked up Karen Finley's Shock Treatment. The first reading was in itself, well, ahem, shocking. The use of "extraordinary" vulgar language begged me to ask, how did Finely write such prose, with a seemingly angst ridden, bitter taste for human comprehension? After the second reading, the misogyny surfaced, the cruddy underworld of perverse thoughts and perhaps the darker world of the human psyche. The work itself is appalling, disgusting, vulgar, and the intimate relationship between writer and reader is tested. Her work, parallel's the social intercourse of the appalling, disgusting and vulgar acts of misogyny, sexual abuse, the apparent lack of societal boundaries. This work, alas, is a piece in itself creating judgements and strong feelings. I highly recommend Finley's work to those who appreciate and tolerate such works.

I thought it was impossible to shock me. This book is over the edge. I even had to put it down, I was so disgusted. If you are into that sort of thing...this book is the cream of the crop.

For those who are interested, Karen Finley also does performace art, spoken word, and has some songs. Let her tell you how she takes her Yams. LOL! Gotta love the woman.