Kathryn Harrison | Author

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Common Knowledge

Other names: Harrison, Kathryn E.
Birthdate: 1961-03-20
Gender: female
Nationality: USA
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Places of residence: Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Palo Alto, California, USA
Education: University of Iowa (MFA ∙ 1987)
Stanford University (AB|1982)
Occupations: writer
Relationships: Harrison, Colin (spouse)

Members

Reviews

The Kiss: A Memoir by Kathryn Harrison

In this powerfully written but disturbing memoir, an emotionally paralyzed young woman gets involved in an incestuous relationship with her narcissistic father. It took a lot of courage to tell this story, and to explain why the author complied with, and even ended up sharing, her loathsome father's obsessive desires.

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akblanchard | 20 other reviews | Aug 11, 2024 |

The Kiss: A Memoir by Kathryn Harrison

The subject matter is disturbing, yes. That's not what put me off of this book though. The author just came across as whiny, annoying and way too dramatic. I don't care for her writing at all.

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thatnerd | 20 other reviews | Mar 2, 2024 |

A thousand orange trees by Kathryn Harrison

Intertwined story of the daughter of a silk-grower (who has an affair with a priest and is therefore arrested by the Inquisition), and the queen of Spain, who fails to produce offspring and therefore is poisoned.[return][return]Interesting, it shows the absurdities of the 16th Century court, the belief systems of a Catholic country and the pressures on some to produce heirs and the pressures on others not to...

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nordie | 4 other reviews | Oct 14, 2023 |

The Kiss: A Memoir by Kathryn Harrison

This has to be the most honest memoir I have ever read. The subject matter in almost any other context would be impossible to read about. The underlying story is deeply disturbing, but the writer's ability to shape and color, and place the events in a relatable storyline, is absolutely first rate. I know I am writing this 25 years after it has been published, but I read it as part of my research into writing my own deeply disturbing memoir. It was recommended in at least two how-to-write-a-memoir books I have read recently. Highly recommended within the framework noted above, but not everyone will be able to read it.… (more)

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Cantsaywhy | 20 other reviews | Nov 19, 2022 |

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