Toward Embodied Narratives in the Health Humanities and Literary Studies

Embodied Narratives in the Health Humanities and Literary Studies bridges the gap between literary studies and health humanities, highlighting the transformative power of storytelling and the significance of the physical act of writing. From embodied narratives to cultural and historical contexts, this collection seeks to reshape our understanding of disease and illness.

Rooted in the belief that writing is a physically demanding process, the contributing authors explore the possibilities and limitations of embodied narratives through somatic experiences, challenging dominant perspectives on health, illness, and medicalization. In doing so, they address critical issues of representation, power dynamics in the medical field, and the relationship between literary form and health-care discourse.

Drawing on the principles of narrative medicine through the lens of literary studies, the book emphasizes the importance of subjectivity, empathy, and introspection. Embodied Narratives in the Health Humanities and Literary Studies amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and sparks critical discussions on social justice, health equity, and patient advocacy.

Eftihia Mihelakis is an associate professor in the Department of Francophone Studies and Languages at Brandon University.

Lucille Toth is an associate professor in the Department of French and Italian at Ohio State University at Newark.