NONFICTION - Nov. 6, 1994

THE GOOD BODY: Asceticism in Contemporary Culture edited by Mary G. Winkler and Letha B. Cole (Yale University Press: $27.50; 247 pp.). In spite of a sexy cover and fairly simple jacket copy, “The Good Body,” a collection of essays edited by Mary Winkler and Letha Cole, is anything but a sexy, simple book. The 12 pieces range in subject from the “dynamic interplay between scientific discourse and dominant cultural categories,” to the role of the body in Flannery O’Connor’s work.

The essays vary widely in intent as well. Some give convincing, scholarly arguments regarding the role of weight loss, drugs or PMS in our culture, while others seem to be geared more toward providing information. One essay in particular, “Eating Disorders, Female Psychology, and Developmental Disturbance” by Janet de Groot, is an excellent discussion of the psychological factors that contribute to anorexia and bulimia. Another fascinating piece is William Monroe’s “Flannery O’ Connor and the Celebration of Embodiment.” (Although in all fairness I must confess to a strong personal bias for O’Connor’s writing.) Looking through the lens of Gnosticism, Monroe’s essay traces the changes in O’Connor’s depiction of physicality as her writing matured and health declined.

“The Good Body” is a collection that will be of interest primarily to feminist scholars and graduate students in psychology or sociology. This is not light reading. It is, however, a flawlessly researched, well-organized collection.