Down To The Bone : A Jail, A Journey, Four Women

After time in a squalid Guatemalan jail - witnessing the indomitable spirit of her fellow female inmates in the face of adversity - the path of Clémence Overall's life is set. In this compelling memoir, Overall takes us along on her travels by boat, bus, and foot to remote villages and down dangerous city streets to discover for herself the innate spirit of women.She inhabits each world - Haiti, Guatemala, Washington - with a keenly observant eye, intense curiosity, and deep compassion. In sharing her intimate journey, Overall uncovers the daily lives of Larian, Teresa and Jayla, gaining insights into what ultimately connects us all.About the AuthorClémence Overall is a writer, poet, anthropologist and therapist who worked in the United States with immigrants and victims of war. She was raised in Morocco, Puerto Rico and Europe. Her memoir Down to the Bone won the 2019 AWW Unpublished Manuscript Award.Praise for Down to the Bone Down to the Bone will grab you from the first sentence as you join Clémence on her journey of understanding, empathy, and deep discovery. - Cheryl Tromley, PhD, Professor Emerita, Fairfield University.Down to the Bone has so many important and urgent things to say about our society, about the plight of women the world over, about the commonality of suffering, and the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of immense hardship.- Julie Postance, author of Breaking the Sound BarriersFueled by intense curiosity and boundless compassion, this odyssey offers an unvarnished look at women worldwide hobbled by both gender and caste.- Erica Barker, Project Manager, RMITA captivating true story in which Clémence, freed from a Guatemalan jail, journeys through treacherous Haitian mountains, ancient Mayan villages and an American prison to uncover the often brutal and hidden lives of women. Brimming with whip-smart observations, striking imagery and compassion, her debut memoir shows how resilience and survival in the face of bitter poverty and systemic injustice can lead to transformation. Vital and relevant. - Ingrid Baring, writer, performer, poet.An adventure story of the author’s own growing social consciousness and an enthralling portrait of women’s lives that is required reading for anyone interested in Haiti, Guatemala and the United States. Clemence's work speaks to women across generations and cultural backgrounds. Her traveller spirit is admirable and an inspiration to future generations of adventurous, inquisitive and compassionate souls." Diana Vasquez- Art Historian StanfordUnflinching yet compassionate in her observations, Overall takes us with her on the vivid journey of her early twenties as she immerses herself in the lives and hopes of three women and their communities. Seeking to find her own place in the world, her reflections and lessons of empathy and care/love could not be more relevant or pressing today.Nicole Bowller (MA Curatorship) Read more