Crash
by J.G.Ballard |
Ad+ |
J.G.Ballard
(who also wrote Empire of the Sun), turns his attention
to people who get a rush of erotic excitement from car
crashes and the resulting disability/disfigurement.
Gabrielle, one of the main characters wears both
legbraces and a spinal brace as a result of a car
accident. Crash was made into a controversial film by
Canadian director David Cronenburg in 1996. |
The Raging Moon
by Peter Marshall
|
Ad |
A novel
focusing on the difficulties faced by young people living
in a home for the physically disabled. Relationships,
especially close sexual ones, are hard to forge when one
is institutionalised. This is, in part, perhaps
autobiographical. See also Peter Marshall's autobiography
Two Lives. Hutchinson and Co.,
Ltd.: London, England, 1962. |
Lightning in July
by Ann L. McLaughlin
|
Ad |
A
wonderfully human and illuminating novel set during the
last epidemic of polio before the Salk vaccine became
available. The strength of this remarkable novel is in
the unsentimental truth of McLaughlin's handling of how
Hally and Dan each learn to cope with impossible demands. |
The
Other Side of Midnight
by
Sydney Sheldon |
Ad |
One of the
minor characters I seem to recall is described as wearing
a heavy metal legbrace. |
Unnatural
Causes
by P. D.James |
Ad |
A major
character is a women in callipers and there are some
excellent sections describing her walk, the feel of her
body etc. James is a sort of modern-day Agatha Christie.
This book was also made into a TV movie. |
I
Can Jump Puddles
by Alan Marshall |
YA |
Australian
novel about a kid living in the outback who gets polio
and overcomes the difficulties it brings. |
Peel My
Love Like an Onion
by Ana Castillo |
YA |
The tale
of a polio-disabled (Carmen’s nickname in Spanish is
"Carmen the Cripple") flamenco dancer, actually
a brace-wearing disabled flamenco dancer. |
Pilgrimage
by Zenna Henderson
|
Ad |
A long
section is devoted to the first-person story (fictional)
of Carolle, an SCI paraplegic who, at that pre-accessible
time, uses long crutches and full-length leg braces to
achieve mobility. Living in a remote mountain
community, there are many scenes of her dealing with
barriers and rough ground, and her fear of helplessness
in these situations. Especially effective is the
understated reaction to an attractive man, who has never
known her without her crutches and braces. The
whole vignette is very effective, without being in the
least maudlin or "poor me". |
The
Acorn Children
by Ron Jones |
YA |
A true
story about a very special group of disabled children who
make their dreams come true at Camp Wiggin. |
The
Monument
by Gary Paulsen |
Ch |
Thirteen-year-old
Rocky, self-conscious about the braces on her leg, has
her life changed by the remarkable artist who comes to
her small Kansas town to design a war memorial. |
Button
Eye's Orange
by Jan Wahl |
Ch |
Taken to
the market to be sold, a toy dog tries to return with an
orange to his boy who wears a leg brace. |
Deenie
by Judy Blume |
Ch |
Deenie
finds through her experience of scoliosis treatment what
being disabled means. She wears a body brace for four
years, and has to make many adaptations. |
| |
KEY |
Ch = children's
YA = young adult
Ad = adult
Ad+ = adult, strong sexual content |
