Svu Presence Of Absence

SVU: Presence and Absence – Exploring the Power of Narrative Gaps

Introduction:

The long-running success of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) hinges on more than just compelling crime stories. It's the masterful use of presence and absence – both in terms of characters and narrative threads – that keeps viewers hooked for decades. This post delves deep into the intricate tapestry of SVU's storytelling, examining how the show strategically employs presence and absence to heighten suspense, develop characters, and explore complex themes of trauma, justice, and the enduring human spirit. We’ll analyze specific examples, explore the impact of character departures, and uncover the subtle ways in which "what's not said" is often more impactful than "what is." Prepare to unpack the nuanced power dynamics embedded within the SVU universe.


1. The Enduring Presence of Olivia Benson:

Mariska Hargitay's portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson is arguably the cornerstone of SVU's success. Her unwavering dedication, her compassionate yet steely demeanor, and her deeply personal journey resonate with audiences. Benson's presence isn't merely physical; it's a powerful anchor for the show's thematic consistency. She represents the enduring fight for justice, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Her consistent presence allows the audience to track the evolution of the SVU unit and the ever-changing landscape of criminal justice itself. Her personal struggles – her complicated family life, her battles with PTSD, and her ever-present drive to protect the vulnerable – are key to maintaining audience engagement over two decades.

2. The Impact of Character Departures and Absences:

While Benson's constant presence provides stability, the cyclical departures and absences of other key characters are equally crucial. Characters like Elliot Stabler, ADA Casey Novak, and even Rollins' temporary absences create narrative tension and compelling plot lines. These absences aren't merely plot devices; they force the remaining characters to adapt, creating opportunities for character development and highlighting the interconnectedness of the team. The emotional fallout from these departures, both for the characters within the show and the audience, underscores the importance of relationships and the lasting impact of trauma. The empty chair, the unspoken word, the lingering question – these elements of absence powerfully resonate.

3. The Strategic Use of Narrative Gaps:

SVU masterfully employs narrative gaps – unanswered questions, implied backstories, and unspoken tensions – to create intrigue and leave lasting impressions on viewers. This technique keeps audiences engaged long after an episode concludes, encouraging discussion and speculation. These gaps are not simply flaws in the storytelling but deliberate choices that enhance the overall dramatic impact. They invite the audience to fill in the blanks, forming their own interpretations and engaging more deeply with the characters and their motivations.

4. Exploring Themes Through Absence: The Unseen Victims:

While SVU focuses on individual cases, it also effectively uses absence to represent the larger picture – the countless victims whose stories may never be fully told. The statistics mentioned in passing, the brief glimpses into the lives of those who are never fully featured, serve as poignant reminders of the pervasive nature of violence and the ongoing struggle for justice. This strategic use of absence highlights the show’s commitment to portraying the far-reaching consequences of sexual assault and other crimes, underscoring the scope of the problem and the limitations of the justice system.

5. The Cyclical Nature of Trauma and its Presence/Absence:

SVU consistently confronts the cyclical nature of trauma. Characters grapple with the psychological effects of their work, and the recurring themes of abuse and violence emphasize the long-lasting consequences for survivors. The presence of trauma in individual episodes is balanced by moments of hope and resilience, demonstrating the enduring human capacity for healing and recovery. The absence of explicit depiction in some instances, however, allows the audience to infer the emotional toll, making the impact even more profound.


Book Outline: "SVU: The Anatomy of Presence and Absence"

I. Introduction: The enduring appeal of SVU and the power of narrative techniques.

II. The Anchor of Presence: Olivia Benson: Examining Benson's character arc, her unwavering presence, and its impact on the show's narrative.

III. The Dynamics of Absence: Character Departures and their Ripple Effects: Analyzing the impact of key character departures and how absence drives plot and character development.

IV. The Art of Narrative Gaps: Intrigue and Speculation: Exploring the strategic use of unanswered questions and implied backstories to enhance viewer engagement.

V. The Unseen Victims: Representing the Larger Picture: Discussing how the show uses absence to represent the vast scale of the problem of sexual violence.

VI. Trauma's Cycle: Presence and Absence in the Narrative: How the show balances explicit depictions of trauma with moments of hope and resilience.

VII. Conclusion: Summarizing the key takeaways and the lasting impact of SVU's masterful use of presence and absence in its storytelling.


(Each point above would be expanded upon in a dedicated chapter of the book, incorporating detailed examples from various SVU episodes and seasons.)


9 Unique FAQs:

1. How does Olivia Benson's presence shape the overall tone of SVU? Benson's consistent presence grounds the show, providing a sense of stability and continuity amidst the ever-changing cast and cases. Her emotional journey reflects the show's evolving approach to themes of justice and trauma.

2. Why are character departures so impactful in SVU? Character departures create narrative tension, force remaining characters to adapt, and allow for exploration of the team's dynamics and the emotional fallout from loss.

3. How does SVU utilize narrative gaps effectively? Unanswered questions and implied backstories keep audiences engaged, prompting speculation and encouraging deeper engagement with the characters and themes.

4. What role does the absence of certain victims play in the show’s narrative? The absence highlights the larger scale of the problem and the limitations of the justice system, adding emotional weight and prompting reflection.

5. How does SVU depict the cyclical nature of trauma? The show balances explicit depictions of trauma with moments of resilience and hope, emphasizing the enduring capacity for healing while acknowledging the long-term effects.

6. How does the show use visual and auditory cues to emphasize absence? Empty spaces, lingering shots, silence, and unspoken dialogue are used to heighten emotional impact and create lingering questions in the viewer's mind.

7. How has the show’s use of presence and absence evolved over its many seasons? The show's approach has subtly evolved, adapting to changing social contexts and exploring increasingly nuanced aspects of trauma and justice.

8. How do recurring characters contribute to the theme of presence and absence? The presence and absence of supporting characters, like ADA Barba, reflect the fluctuating support systems in the lives of the main characters and contribute to the overall emotional arc.

9. What impact does the show’s use of presence and absence have on its audience? It fosters a deeper emotional investment in the characters, encourages reflection on the themes explored, and leaves a lasting impression long after an episode concludes.



9 Related Articles:

1. The Evolution of Olivia Benson: From Rookie to Icon: Traces Benson's character development across the series.

2. The Impact of Elliot Stabler's Departure on SVU: Analyzes the ripple effects of Stabler's absence on the team and the show's narrative.

3. SVU's Unresolved Cases: A Study in Narrative Ambiguity: Examines the show's use of unresolved cases to create lasting intrigue.

4. The Representation of Trauma in SVU: A Critical Analysis: Evaluates the show's portrayal of trauma and its impact on viewers.

5. The Role of Supporting Characters in SVU's Narrative: Explores the contributions of supporting characters to the show's overall narrative.

6. SVU's Use of Music to Enhance Emotional Impact: How music is used to emphasize moments of presence and absence in the show.

7. Comparing SVU's approach to other crime dramas: Analyzes SVU's unique use of presence and absence in comparison to other shows.

8. The impact of SVU on viewers’ understanding of sexual assault: Examines the show's influence on public perception and awareness.

9. The future of SVU and the potential for new narrative strategies: Speculates on the show's future and how its approach to presence and absence might evolve.


  svu presence of absence: Journal of the American Oriental Society American Oriental Society, 1871 List of members in each volume.
  svu presence of absence: Advances in Computing and Communications, Part I Ajith Abraham, Jaime Lloret Mauri, John Buford, Junichi Suzuki, Sabu M. Thampi, 2011-07-08 This volume is the first part of a four-volume set (CCIS 190, CCIS 191, CCIS 192, CCIS 193), which constitutes the refereed proceedings of the First International Conference on Computing and Communications, ACC 2011, held in Kochi, India, in July 2011. The 68 revised full papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from a large number of submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on ad hoc networks; advanced micro architecture techniques; autonomic and context-aware computing; bioinformatics and bio-computing; cloud, cluster, grid and P2P computing; cognitive radio and cognitive networks; cyber forensics; database and information systems.
  svu presence of absence: Language and Social Justice Kathleen C. Riley, Bernard C. Perley, Inmaculada M. García-Sánchez, 2024-02-22 Language, whether spoken, written, or signed, is a powerful resource that is used to facilitate social justice or undermine it. The first reference resource to use an explicitly global lens to explore the interface between language and social justice, this volume expands our understanding of how language symbolizes, frames, and expresses political, economic, and psychic problems in society, thus contributing to visions for social justice. Investigating specific case studies in which language is used to instantiate and/or challenge social injustices, each chapter provides a unique perspective on how language carries value and enacts power by presenting the historical contexts and ethnographic background for understanding how language engenders and/or negotiates specific social justice issues. Case studies are drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and the Pacific Islands, with leading experts tackling a broad range of themes, such as equality, sovereignty, communal well-being, and the recognition of complex intersectional identities and relationships within and beyond the human world. Putting issues of language and social justice on a global stage and casting light on these processes in communities increasingly impacted by ongoing colonial, neoliberal, and neofascist forms of globalization, Language and Social Justice is an essential resource for anyone interested in this area of research.
  svu presence of absence: The Tâittirîya-Prâtiçâkhya, with Its Commentary, the Tribhâshyaratna William, 1871
  svu presence of absence: Qualitative Dissertation Methodology Nathan Durdella, 2017-12-29 Designing and writing a qualitative dissertation methodology chapter can be done! Qualitative Dissertation Methodology: A Guide for Research Design and Methods functions as a dissertation advisor to help students construct and write a qualitative methodological framework for their research. Drawing from the challenges author Nathan Durdella has experienced while supervising students, the book breaks down producing the dissertation chapter into smaller pieces and goes through each portion of the methodology process step by step. With a warm and supportive tone, he walks students through the process from the very start, from choosing chairs and developing qualitative support networks to outlining the qualitative chapter and delving into the writing. By the end of the book, students will have completed the most challenging chapter of a qualitative dissertation and laid a strong foundation for the rest of their dissertation work. Corresponding videos featuring the author help concepts come alive for your students.
  svu presence of absence: Environmental Epigenomics in Health and Disease Randy L Jirtle, Frederick L. Tyson, 2013-05-16 There are now compelling human epidemiological and animal experimental data that indicate the risk of developing adult-onset complex diseases and neurological disorders are influenced by persistent epigenetic adaptations in response to prenatal and early postnatal exposures to environmental factors. Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in the sequence of the DNA. The main components of the epigenetic code are DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. The epigenetic programs are established as stem cell differentiate during embryogenesis, and they are normally faithfully reproduced during mitosis. Moreover, they can also be maintained during meiosis, resulting in epigenetic transgenerational disease inheritance, and also potentially introducing phenotypic variation that is selected for in the evolution of new species. The objective of this book is to provide evidence that environmental exposures during early development can alter the risk of developing medical conditions, such as asthma, autism, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and schizophrenia later in life by modifying the epigenome.
  svu presence of absence: Combating Bacterial Infections Through Biomimetic or Bioinspired Materials Design and Enabling Technologies Gianluca Ciardelli, Ipsita Roy, Jochen Salber, Antonia Nostro, Aldo R. Boccaccini, 2022-01-31
  svu presence of absence: Science of Wood Degradation and its Protection R. Sundararaj, 2022-03-16 This edited book covers all aspects of wood degradation from its formation and growing in trees to its end usages when it is put into human usage. Wood is an age-old traditional fascinating material with a sensory-rich immersive experience that kindles aesthetics and creativity. The utility, durability, and functionality of wood render it a cosmopolitan material. It constitutes an integral part of human lives from ancient times to modern societies being used by various sectors viz., construction, furniture, panel products, paper and pulp, sports goods, agricultural implements, etc., Wood, being a biological material, is susceptible to degradation both by physical and biological means, and the need to protect the wood and prevent heavy economic losses constitutes a major challenge. Also, wood formed by the trees is the major sinks of carbon and the carbon remains locked-up for the life of the wood, thereby serving as important tool to mitigate the climate change. But the carbon stored in wood returns to the atmosphere when it degrades and will have positive effect on climate change. Hence, wood protection aiming for extending the service life of wood plays a key role in locking the carbon for a longer period in the wood and also substantially reduce the demand and depletion of forest resources. The book focuses on wood as an important natural bio-resource, inventory of wood protection, usage, utilization, preservatives, protection technologies and wood protection from all forms of degradation. Special focus is given on the eco-friendly way of protecting wood and its importance in mitigating climate change. The book is useful for Indian and international readers, who are working in wood domains. It is of interest to wood technologists, teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. It is of immense importance as a guide and study material to the graduate and postgraduate students of wood science in various universities of India and abroad.
  svu presence of absence: Playing the Canterbury Tales Dr Andrew Higl, 2013-05-28 Playing the Canterbury Tales addresses the additions, continuations, and reordering of the Canterbury Tales found in the manuscripts and early printed editions of the Tales. Many modern editions present a specific set of tales in a specific order, and often leave out an entire corpus of continuations and additions. Andrew Higl makes a case for understanding the additions and changes to Chaucer's original open and fragmented work by thinking of them as distinct interactive moves in a game similar to the storytelling game the pilgrims play. Using examples and theories from new media studies, Higl demonstrates that the Tales are best viewed as an interactive fiction, reshaped by active readers. Readers participated in the ongoing creation and production of the tales by adding new text and rearranging existing text, and through this textual transmission, they introduced new social and literary meaning to the work. This theoretical model and the boundaries between the canonical and apocryphal texts are explored in six case studies: the spurious prologues of the Wife of Bath's Tale, John Lydgate's influence on the Tales, the Northumberland manuscript, the ploughman character, and the Cook's Tale. The Canterbury Tales are a more dynamic and unstable literary work than usually encountered in a modern critical edition.
  svu presence of absence: Indian Science Abstracts , 1988-04
  svu presence of absence: Hindu Spirituality Krishna Sivaraman, 1989
  svu presence of absence: The Specter and the Speculative Mae G. Henderson, Jeanne Scheper, Gene Melton, 2024-05-31 The Specter and the Speculative: Afterlives and Archives in the African Diaspora engages in a critical conversation about how historical subjects and historical texts within the African Diaspora are re-fashioned, re-animated, and re-articulated, as well as parodied, nostalgized, and defamiliarized, to establish an “afterlife” for African Atlantic identities and narratives. These essays focus on transnational, transdisciplinary, and transhistorical sites of memory and haunting—textual, visual, and embodied performances—in order to examine how these “living” archives circulate and imagine anew the meanings of prior narratives liberated from their original context. Individual essays examine how historical and literary performances—in addition to film, drama, music, dance, and material culture—thus revitalized, transcend and speak across temporal and spatial boundaries not only to reinstate traditional meanings, but also to motivate fresh commentary and critique. Emergent and established scholars representing diverse disciplines and fields of interest specifically engage under explored themes related to afterlives, archives, and haunting.
  svu presence of absence: Definition of Serious and Complex Medical Conditions Institute of Medicine, Committee on Serious and Complex Medical Conditions, 1999-10-19 In response to a request by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), the Institute of Medicine proposed a study to examine definitions of serious or complex medical conditions and related issues. A seven-member committee was appointed to address these issues. Throughout the course of this study, the committee has been aware of the fact that the topic addressed by this report concerns one of the most critical issues confronting HCFA, health care plans and providers, and patients today. The Medicare+Choice regulations focus on the most vulnerable populations in need of medical care and other services-those with serious or complex medical conditions. Caring for these highly vulnerable populations poses a number of challenges. The committee believes, however, that the current state of clinical and research literature does not adequately address all of the challenges and issues relevant to the identification and care of these patients.
  svu presence of absence: 21st Century Communication: A Reference Handbook William F. Eadie, 2009-05-15 Highlights the most important topics, issues, questions, and debates affecting the field of communication in the 21st Century.
  svu presence of absence: INIS Atomindex , 1981
  svu presence of absence: Kosmas , 2007
  svu presence of absence: Looks Madeleine George, 2008-06-12 An unforgettable debut novel about the way we look at others, and the way we see ourselves. Meghan Ball is both the most visible and the most invisible person in school. Her massive size is impossible to ignore, yet people freely spill their secrets in front of her, perhaps because they think she isn?t listening. But she is. Now her attention has turned to a new girl: Aimee Zorn, with her stick-figure body and defiant attitude. Meghan is determined to befriend Aimee, and when she ultimately succeeds, the two join forces to take down their shared enemy. This provocative story explores the ways in which girls use food and their bodies to say what they cannot: I?m lonely.
  svu presence of absence: Black Sexualities Juan Battle, Sandra L. Barnes, 2009-11-24 Why does society have difficulty discussing sexualities? Where does fear of Black sexualities emerge and how is it manifested? How can varied experiences of Black females and males who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), or straight help inform dialogue and academic inquiry? From questioning forces that have constrained sexual choices to examining how Blacks have forged healthy sexual identities in an oppressive environment, Black Sexualities acknowledges the diversity of the Black experience and the shared legacy of racism. Contributors seek resolution to Blacks' understanding of their lives as sexual beings through stories of empowerment, healing, self-awareness, victories, and other historic and contemporary life-course panoramas and provide practical information to foster more culturally relative research, tolerance, and acceptance.
  svu presence of absence: Czech and Slovak Culture in International and Global Context Miloslav Rechcígl, 2008
  svu presence of absence: The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls, 2007-01-02 A triumphant tale of a young woman and her difficult childhood, The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience, redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and wonderfully vibrant. Jeannette Walls was the second of four children raised by anti-institutional parents in a household of extremes.
  svu presence of absence: The Book of Dreams Jack Vance,
  svu presence of absence: Ask a Manager Alison Green, 2018-05-01 From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together
  svu presence of absence: Sri Venkateswara University Oriental Journal Sri Venkatesvara University. Oriental Research Institute, 2000
  svu presence of absence: Creating the Other Nancy M. Wingfield, 2003-10 The historic myths of a people/nation usually play an important role in the creation and consolidation of the basic concepts from which the self-image of that nation derives. These concepts include not only images of the nation itself, but also images of other peoples. Although the construction of ethnic stereotypes during the long nineteenth century initially had other functions than simply the homogenization of the particular culture and the exclusion of others from the public sphere, the evaluation of peoples according to criteria that included level of civilization yielded rankings of ethnic groups within the Habsburg Monarchy. That provided the basis for later, more divisive ethnic characterizations of exclusive nationalism, as addressed in this volume that examines the roots and results of ethnic, nationalist, and racial conflict in the region from a variety of historical and theoretical perspectives.
  svu presence of absence: Introduction to Criminal Investigation Michael Birzer, Cliff Roberson, 2018-07-31 The manner in which criminal investigators are trained is neither uniform nor consistent, ranging from sophisticated training protocols in some departments to on-the-job experience alongside senior investigators in others. Ideal for students taking a first course in the subject as well as professionals in need of a refresher, Introduction to Criminal Investigation uses an accessible format to convey concepts in practical, concrete terms. Topics discussed include: The history of criminal investigation in Western society Qualifications for becoming an investigator, the selection process, and ideal training requirements Crime scene search techniques, including planning and post-search debriefing Preparing effective field notes and investigative reports Interviewing and interrogating Types of evidence found at the crime scene and how to collect, package, and preserve it The contributions of forensic science to criminal investigations and the equipment used in crime labs Investigative protocol for a range of crimes, including property crimes, auto theft, arson, financial crimes, homicide, assault, sex crimes, and robbery Specialized investigations, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, and gang-related crime Legal issues involved in criminal investigations and preparing a case for trial Bringing together contributions from law enforcement personnel, academics, and attorneys, the book combines practical and theoretical elements to provide a comprehensive examination of today‘s criminal investigative process. The accessible manner in which the information is conveyed makes this an ideal text for a wide-ranging audience.
  svu presence of absence: Belgian Journal of Botany , 2006
  svu presence of absence: Beyond Bombshells Jeffrey A. Brown, 2015-09-09 Beyond Bombshells analyzes the cultural importance of strong women in a variety of current media forms. Action heroines are now more popular in movies, comic books, television, and literature than they have ever been. Their spectacular presence represents shifting ideas about female agency, power, and sexuality. Beyond Bombshells explores how action heroines reveal and reconfigure perceptions about how and why women are capable of physically dominating roles in modern fiction, indicating the various strategies used to contain and/or exploit female violence. Focusing on a range of successful and controversial recent heroines in the mass media, including Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games books and movies, Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo novels and films, and Hit-Girl from the Kick-Ass movies and comic books, Jeffrey A. Brown argues that the role of action heroine reveals evolving beliefs about femininity. While women in action roles are still heavily sexualized and objectified, they also challenge preconceived myths about normal or culturally appropriate gender behavior. The ascribed sexuality of modern heroines remains Brown's consistent theme, particularly how objectification intersects with issues of racial stereotyping, romantic fantasies, images of violent adolescent and preadolescent girls, and neoliberal feminist revolutionary parables. Individual chapters study the gendered dynamics of torture in action films, the role of women in partnerships with male colleagues, young women as well as revolutionary leaders in dystopic societies, adolescent sexuality and romance in action narratives, the historical import of nonwhite heroines, and how modern African American, Asian, and Latina heroines both challenge and are restricted by longstanding racial stereotypes.
  svu presence of absence: Physics Briefs , 1987
  svu presence of absence: Radiological English Ramón Ribes, Pablo R. Ros, 2006-12-02 This is an introductory book to radiological English on the basis that there are a lot of radiologists, radiology residents, radiology nurses, radiology students, and radiographers worldwide whose English level is indeterminate because their reading skills are much higher than their fluency. It is intended to help those health care professionals who need English for their work but do not speak English on a day-to-day basis.
  svu presence of absence: Notorious H.I.V. Thomas C. Shevory, 2004 Nushawn Williams, accused of deliberately infecting numerous individuals with AIDS, was subsequently dubbed an AIDS predator in the U.S. national media and is now incarcerated. His treatment by the media and the judicial system, argues Shevory (politics, Ithaca College), is unsupported by the evid
  svu presence of absence: Asian Environment , 1984
  svu presence of absence: Night Shield Nora Roberts, 2012-04-10 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes the fifth Night Tales novel—a story of forbidden love under the cover of night. Undercover cop Ally Fletcher knows that Jonah Blackhawk is bad news, which is why she’s determined not to fall for his charms while working at his nightclub. But the more Ally interacts with the seductive Jonah, the more she’s tempted to break her own rules. A NORA ROBERTS CLASSIC AVAILABLE DIGITALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME
  svu presence of absence: Detransition, Baby Torrey Peters, 2021-01-12 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The lives of three women—transgender and cisgender—collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires in “one of the most celebrated novels of the year” (Time) “Reading this novel is like holding a live wire in your hand.”—Vulture One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century Named one of the Best Books of the Year by more than twenty publications, including The New York Times Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Time, Vogue, Esquire, Vulture, and Autostraddle PEN/Hemingway Award Winner • Finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Gotham Book Prize • Longlisted for The Women’s Prize • Roxane Gay’s Audacious Book Club Pick • New York Times Editors’ Choice Reese almost had it all: a loving relationship with Amy, an apartment in New York City, a job she didn't hate. She had scraped together what previous generations of trans women could only dream of: a life of mundane, bourgeois comforts. The only thing missing was a child. But then her girlfriend, Amy, detransitioned and became Ames, and everything fell apart. Now Reese is caught in a self-destructive pattern: avoiding her loneliness by sleeping with married men. Ames isn't happy either. He thought detransitioning to live as a man would make life easier, but that decision cost him his relationship with Reese—and losing her meant losing his only family. Even though their romance is over, he longs to find a way back to her. When Ames's boss and lover, Katrina, reveals that she's pregnant with his baby—and that she's not sure whether she wants to keep it—Ames wonders if this is the chance he's been waiting for. Could the three of them form some kind of unconventional family—and raise the baby together? This provocative debut is about what happens at the emotional, messy, vulnerable corners of womanhood that platitudes and good intentions can't reach. Torrey Peters brilliantly and fearlessly navigates the most dangerous taboos around gender, sex, and relationships, gifting us a thrillingly original, witty, and deeply moving novel.
  svu presence of absence: Our Cultural Sovereignty Canada. Parliament. House of Commons. Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Clifford Lincoln, 2003
  svu presence of absence: Somebody's Daughter Ashley C. Ford, 2021-06-01 INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NBCC John Leonard Prize Finalist Indie Bestseller “This is a book people will be talking about forever.” —Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed “Ford’s wrenchingly brilliant memoir is truly a classic in the making. The writing is so richly observed and so suffused with love and yearning that I kept forgetting to breathe while reading it.” —John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author One of the most prominent voices of her generation debuts with an extraordinarily powerful memoir: the story of a childhood defined by the looming absence of her incarcerated father. Through poverty, adolescence, and a fraught relationship with her mother, Ashley C. Ford wishes she could turn to her father for hope and encouragement. There are just a few problems: he’s in prison, and she doesn’t know what he did to end up there. She doesn’t know how to deal with the incessant worries that keep her up at night, or how to handle the changes in her body that draw unwanted attention from men. In her search for unconditional love, Ashley begins dating a boy her mother hates. When the relationship turns sour, he assaults her. Still reeling from the rape, which she keeps secret from her family, Ashley desperately searches for meaning in the chaos. Then, her grandmother reveals the truth about her father’s incarceration . . . and Ashley’s entire world is turned upside down. Somebody’s Daughter steps into the world of growing up a poor Black girl in Indiana with a family fragmented by incarceration, exploring how isolating and complex such a childhood can be. As Ashley battles her body and her environment, she embarks on a powerful journey to find the threads between who she is and what she was born into, and the complicated familial love that often binds them.
  svu presence of absence: Strandness's Duplex Scanning in Vascular Disorders R. Eugene Zierler, 2012-03-28 The Fourth Edition of D. Eugene Strandness's Duplex Scanning in Vascular Disorders has been significantly revised by a new team of authors. This book explains the physiologic principles of duplex scanning and methodically explores each of the major clinical application areas: cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial, peripheral venous, visceral vascular, and specialized applications including assessment of aortic endografts, follow-up of carotid and peripheral artery stents, treatment of pseudoaneurysms, surveillance of infrainguinal bypass grafts, dialysis access procedures, and evaluation prior to coronary artery bypass grafts. Each chapter is authored by a team consisting of an MD and a sonography technologist. The book includes new Doppler scan images.
  svu presence of absence: The Diagnosis and Management of Agitation Scott L. Zeller, Kimberly D. Nordstrom, Michael P. Wilson, 2017-02-15 A practical guide to the origins and treatment options for agitation, a common symptom of psychiatric and neurologic disorders.
  svu presence of absence: The Low, Low Woods Carmen Maria Machado, 2020-09-29 Shudder-To-Think, Pennsylvania, has been on fire for years. The coal mines beneath it are long since abandoned. The woods are full of rabbits with human eyes, a deer woman who stalks hungry girls, and swaths of skinless men. And the people in Shudder-to-Think? Well, they’re not doing so well either. When El and Octavia wake up in a movie theater with no memory of the last few hours of their lives, the two teenage dirtbags begin a surreal and terrifying journey to discover the truth about the strange town that they call home. Like so many women in Shudder-to-Think before them, all they have is a void where the truth once was. But as time passes, El finds herself needing to know more about what has happened, while Octavia wants nothing more than to forget the forgetting. Can these two teens reconcile their differences before the horrible things lurking beneath their town emerge and swallow them whole? Collects The Low, Low Woods #1-6.
  svu presence of absence: Machine Drawing K. L. Narayana, 2009-06-30 About the Book: Written by three distinguished authors with ample academic and teaching experience, this textbook, meant for diploma and degree students of Mechanical Engineering as well as those preparing for AMIE examination, incorporates the latest st
  svu presence of absence: Advances in Micro and Nano Manufacturing and Surface Engineering M. S. Shunmugam, M. Kanthababu, 2019-11-30 This volume presents research papers on micro and nano manufacturing and surface engineering which were presented during the 7th International and 28th All India Manufacturing Technology, Design and Research conference 2018 (AIMTDR 2018). The papers discuss the latest advances in miniature manufacturing, the machining of miniature components and features as well as improvement of surface properties. This volume will be of interest to academicians, researchers, and practicing engineers alike.