Elaine Kraf is an author whose works delve into the depths of the human experience with a unique and incisive perspective. Her writing is recognized for its unflinching honesty and its ability to capture the complexities of interpersonal relationships. Through her prose, Kraf engages with essential themes that resonate with readers, prompting reflection on the world around us. Her literary voice is distinctive, leaving a lasting impression.
Focusing on a mother's profound love for her disabled son, this haunting novel delves into the complexities of her mental health struggles. The narrative intricately weaves themes of devotion and vulnerability, showcasing the challenges faced in their relationship. The author's experience with feminist themes adds depth, making it a compelling exploration of motherhood and personal turmoil.
This remarkable novel by Elaine Kraf received almost no attention when it was first published in 1979. For whatever reasons, America was not ready for this dream-like look at life inside the head of a young woman, a struggling artist, living in New York's Upper West Side and coping with the ravages of manic-depression. Not only did Kraf take on a dark and disturbing subject, she did so in an utterly original, witty, and inventive manner--a provocative move, even in the liberated culture of the 1970s. And, while others have since expanded upon the territory that Kraf was mining, one still has to go as far back as the early down-and-out-in-Paris novels of Jean Rhys to find a writer who so boldly and honestly portrays a smart, sardonic, attractive, but deeply troubled woman fighting to survive on her own in the city.