Framed by the physical language of elite athletics, Chronic depicts the experiences of a young collegiate woman as she navigates a chronic pain condition known as vulvodynia. Despite the literary tradition of women in pain, women suffering, and women with illness, this particular condition lacks much in the way of a literary cannon. Set on the grey shores of BC’s west coast, the narrative follows Kit and her fellow athletes over the course of a competitive year, their inter-‐twined exchanges forming a narrative that muddles and globalizes the concept of pain. Through its depiction of sexual relationships and athletic endeavours, the novel strives to challenge traditional models of physicality, identity, mental health, and female sexuality. By couching a story of vulvodynia in the physical language of an athlete, Chronic conveys that one of the primary struggles of chronic pain is the perception of, and the relationship with, one’s body.
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