A review by mjcglz
The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North

4.0

coincidentally, i finished Close to the knives by David Wojnarowicz and this book on the same evening. The second to last chapter in close to the knives 'THE SUICIDE OF A GUY WHO ONCE BUILT AN ELABORATE SHRINE OVER A MOUSE HOLE' is an examination of trying to be normal and losing the fight (albeit within a distinct and perhaps more complex time and context - 90s AIDS America).

The point is, 'The Life and Death of Sophie Stark' ended the same way. They both put forth questions: what does it mean to fit in? Into what? who has the energy? who is uncompromising in their own self? What constitutes our self-regard? How are we willing to be seen and how do we see others? In what light?

And when we go, what does it mean when others tell our story?