Written on the Body - Jeanette Winterton

 

This one will be short, succinct and sweet! Written on the Body, written in 1992, is narrated by an unnamed, ungendered protagonist who has had their share of romances. But when they meet Louise, everything is different. The ability to love someone so much it physically hurts inside - enough to put them first when it nearly kills you - is illustrated in this 200-page delight.

Winterson's writing is character driven, not plot driven, and I'll admit I'm left unsure how to describe this book to a stranger. It is a portrait, and poem, a love letter - peppered with beautiful imagery, fraught moments and at times, sheer joy. Themes of sexuality, identity, loss and mortality are packed into this little gem of a book. I'm excited to pick up more Winterson!