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Venus of Chalk

Take the trip of a lifetime with Carline, a lesbian home economist and woman-of-size; Tucker, a bus driver; and Mel, a retiree, as they journey from Massachusetts to Texas to unload an old city bus. In the process, these friends also leave behind their preconceived notions about one other, drop their inhibitions, and become fully who they were meant to be.

"I am an enormous fan of Susan Stinson's work, and, as a fan, consider it my duty to help more and more people know about its wonders: I can think of no-one who writes with more love, passion, and precision about the pleasures of the body and the pleasures of the soul, and that nebulous (often neglected) intersection of body and soul. She writes extraordinary love stories, with intelligence and generosity and a wild imagination." — Elizabeth McCracken, author, The Giant's House (National Book Award finalist)

"Venus of Chalk is by turns tender and ruthless, dark and funny, haunting and starkly contemporary. In spare, eloquent prose Stinson mines depths most writers shy away from. And along the way she tells a gripping tale of a modern-day heroine who's like no other you've ever seen. From the first page, I was under Carline's spell. Single minded, indomitable-Carline is on a fast bus to Texas. This is one ride you won't want to miss." — Alison Smith, author, Name All the Animals

"Venus of Chalk satisfies like that first long breath after a good cry; like a thorough spring cleaning; like a warm, clothing-optional hug. If they ever conduct a census of fictional characters, the category of unapologetic fat woman will be nearly empty — -a criminal lack — -except for Carline, who courageously pursues her sense of self across continents, back to childhood, and into the mysteries of her own body. We can all benefit from her travel tips." — Marilyn Wann, author, FAT!SO?

"This book unravels what you think you know about women and men, the freakish and the normal, shame and salvation — -then mends it anew into a most surprising story." — Alison Bechdel, creator, Dykes To Watch Out For

"Carline is brave, strong and beautiful, just like Susan Stinson's writing. As a reader, I was fascinated by Carline's journey; as a writer I was dazzled by the language in which it was told." — Lesléa Newman, author, Heather Has Two Mommies

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 206
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9781563411373
  • Genres
  • fiction, queer, lesbian, fat, womens, feminism
  • Release date
  • 2004