1 1

Buy 3, Get 1 Free! Promo Code: BUY3GET1

Blue Vase Books

The Running Body: A Memoir (Autumn House Nonfiction Prize)

The Running Body: A Memoir (Autumn House Nonfiction Prize)

Author: Pifer

$6.11
$6.11
Sale Sold out

Condition: Good

paperback

Out of stock
A memoir of addiction, body image, and healing, through the lens of a long-distance runner.

Emily Pifer's debut memoir, The Running Body, wrestles and reckons with power and agency, language and story, body dysphoria and beauty standards, desire and addiction, loss and healing. Pifer employs multiple modes of storytelling--memoir, meditation, and cultural analysis--interweaving research, argument, and experience as she describes how, during her time as a collegiate distance runner, she began to run more while eating less. Many around her, including her coaches, praised her for these practices. But as she became faster, and as her body began to resemble the bodies that she had seen across start-lines and on the covers of running magazines, her bones began to fracture. Pifer tells her story alongside the stories of her teammates, competitors, and others as they all face trouble regarding their bodies.

Through the lens of long-distance running, Pifer examines the effects of idolization and obsession, revealing the porous boundaries between what counts as success and what is considered failure. While grounded in truth, The Running Body interrogates its relationship to magical thinking, the stories we tell ourselves, and the faultiness of memory. Fractures, figurative and literal, run through the narrative as Pifer explores the ways bodies become entangled in stories.

The Running Body was selected by Steve Almond as the winner of the 2021 Autumn House Nonfiction Prize.

ISBN: 1637680546

31UTLL0036ZO_ns

Note on Condition

Most of the items in our store are used. The items condition is indicated at the top of the product page. Please refer to the following condition notes:

  • Used - Good: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.

  • Used- Acceptable: The item is very worn but continues to work perfectly. Signs of wear can include aestetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners, and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing (age related spots and browning). May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.

  • Used-Ex-Library (Good/Acceptable): Former library book with the usual stamps, stickers, and labels. See Good/Acceptable notes for more detail.

  • Used- Very Good: Book has little sign of wear or use

  • New- Brand new, unread book

Shipping & Local Pick Up

Shipping: Most orders are shipped within 24 hours. Please allow 4-14 days after the item has shipped for delivery. Faster shipping is available for purchase at checkout.

Local Pick Up: Orders will be available for pick up within 24 hours. Pick up at the front desk Thursday-Sunday 10am-6pm .After hours pick ups are available Monday-Wednesday 7am-3pm at the Shipping & Receiving entrance.

View full details