Mutilating The Body: Identity In Blood And Ink

by Kim Hewitt

This scholarly discussion places acts of body mutilation within a conceptual framework that explores their similarities and dissimilarities, but ultimately interprets them as acts that ask to be witnessed. The author explores self-mutilation through history and across cultural divisions, finding these acts

172 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Nusaiba]

This was one of my prelim books, tbh I enjoyed it and have two pages of notes that will help in my research.



I was disappointed on page 66 Hewitt without reference says “The Koran forbids marking the body”. While there is Hadith and cultural norms that do ‘forbid’ tattooing and the like, it is not explicitly or casually referenced in the Koran. For a book with in depth research on much, it’s inattentive and falls into what scholars will generally do in reference to Islamic doctrine: that is rely on popular opinion rather than facts.

[sam kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

after reading this book, i was forced to contemplate the similarities between voluntary body mutilation like tattooing and piercing with compulsory behaviors like cutting and bulemia. its really quite a smart book...

[Heleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Only read the parts which were of relevance to me)