In “Congratulations” 15 of the country’s most exciting authors tell stories about abortion. Here editor Charlotte Gneuss talks about taboos, necessary changes of perspective – and why women often make it difficult for each other.
Ms. Gneuss, your book is called: “Congratulations!” You have to explain that…
Pregnant women are often congratulated. This implies that the woman was lucky and wished to be pregnant. In many cases, however, this is not the case. In the case of an unwanted pregnancy, a “congratulations” can seem almost cynical. Stefanie de Velasco’s text in our anthology says: “Congratulations, you are no longer pregnant”. Then the perspective shifts. For many of those affected, ending an unwanted pregnancy is one thing above all: a relief.