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Paige Towers
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The Sound of Undoing: A Memoir in Essays (American Lives) Paperback – March 1, 2023

by Paige Towers (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
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Winner of the 2024 Wisconsin Library Association Literary Award 
Winner of the 2024 Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award 
Winner of the 2024 Eric Hoffer Academic Press Award 
Shortlisted for the 2024 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize 

A memoir in essays, The Sound of Undoing deconstructs the way sound has overwhelmingly shaped Paige Towers’s life. Each essay focuses on a different sound, some perceptible—like the sound of a loon call or gunshot—and others abstract—like the sound of awakening. Given a hypersensitivity to noise from which she has both suffered and benefited since childhood, Towers uses these sounds as a starting point for making sense of past events. She reflects on the estrangement of a beloved sister, sexual abuse and assault, and the link between mental illness and noise in her family, as well as nature, religion, violence, and other themes. Experimental in form and provocative in content, The Sound of Undoing also makes use of research on silence, nature and noise pollution, listening, sound art, autonomous sensory meridian response, and the acoustic environment in general. By exploring memories and feelings triggered by certain noises, this lyrical meditation untangles a life infused with meaning through sound.
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  1. Print length
    210 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of Nebraska Press
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1496232879
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1496232878
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Sound of Undoing marks the emergence of a bold voice in creative nonfiction. It asks us to turn our collective ears to the cacophonous and the sonorous, the mundane and the sublime. Towers breathes new life into the familiar soundscape of our modern existence, asking us to rediscover the wondrousness of our sound-filled world."—Calabryan Holder, Linden Review

“This book gifted me a deeper awareness of noise—its powers to depress or delight, estrange or connect. . . . Part anguished lament, part rapturous ode, Paige Towers has given us a portrait of overwhelming sensation.”—Gabrielle Bates, author of Judas Goat

“The Sound of Undoing is for any person who’s been told they are too sensitive to the burdens of our times. Spanning sister grief, noise exposure, and estrangement from self and society, Paige Towers investigates the echoing possibilities—attuned to both joy and trauma—of everyday sounds. Celebrating the minuscule and the immense in equal measure, this memoir is a real contribution to our understanding of the aural and emotional landscapes of womanhood.”—Kristen Millares Young, author of Subduction

“Towers guides us through her discoveries of sound—its presence, absence, and lyrical implications. But it always comes back to love. This book explores what it means to perceive the world in surprising ways by showing us how we can understand what tethers us to our relationships and hold what we cannot see to the light with faith.”—Su Cho, author of The Symmetry of Fish

About the Author

Paige Towers is a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Hobart, Washington Post, The Guardian, Harvard Review, McSweeney’s, and many other publications.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Nebraska Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496232879
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496232878
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #2,105,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Elaine . Clark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and enlightening
    Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Paige’s writing style is at times poetic (when she is writing about her experiences) and factual and clinical (when she is writing about her research). Still, she manages to be consistent in her writing style. What a gift! I learned much about sound, noise pollution, and ASMR from this book. Paige’s sensitivity to sound is also reflected in her sensitivity to people, nature and especially to her family. After reading “The Sound of Undoing”, I find myself paying more attention to everyday “quiet” sounds. Thank you, Paige for the gift of awareness.
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  • Bostonwriter
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful collection of essays
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The Sound of Undoing makes a reader stop and think about literal and abstract sounds, and also consider how that sense can be used to examine the human experience. Each essay is an expertly crafted stand-alone piece, yet they all tie together as part of a beautiful larger narrative. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
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  • C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous writing, fascinating observations and research, propulsive voice
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2023
    Format: Paperback
    I couldn't wait to pick this book up every night--the voice is incredibly compelling, the writing gorgeous, the insights and ideas thought-provoking and inspiring. Each essay stands on its own, but together they've been woven to create a powerful memoir, inventive, experimental, and clear. Must read!
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  • Jeff G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it, love it
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2023
    Format: Kindle
    An insightful collection of essays, each interesting and intriguing in their own way, tied together by the author's unique experiences with sound. The three that resonated the most for me were "The Sound of Undoing," "The Sound of an Animal," and "The Sound of the Unsaid," as they offered grounded, vigorous explorations of some of our society's most current ills. Towers' writing is witty and creative, especially in the way she conjured sounds on the page. Describing sounds and noises perfectly, many of which had probably never before been described. Looking forward to more from her!
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  • Samit D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truly wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023
    Format: Paperback
    The writing is engaging and challenges you to look within. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and had moments where I had to pause, put the book down, and reflect on the profoundness of the essays.
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  • great odin's raven
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, insightful, thought-provoking essays
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023
    Format: Paperback
    This book is, first and foremost, gorgeous writing. Every essay is a little work of art - but also accessible, unlike I sometimes find with lyrical essays. I was really fascinated by the theme of sound and the way it provides a framework for the book and the author's life. It's about sound but so much more: family, mental illness, relationships, love, trauma, religion... The titular essay is my favorite. Absolutely stunning.
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