Book Review: ‘You Won’t Get Free of It,’ by Rachel Aviv
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Rachel Aviv’s essay collection "You Won’t Get Free of It" explores complex mother-daughter relationships, with the title essay focusing on the family of writer Alice Munro.
- Aviv reveals that Munro’s second husband, Gerry, abused her youngest daughter Andrea starting at age 9, and when Andrea disclosed this as an adult, Munro stayed with Gerry, damaging her relationship with Andrea.
- The essay investigates the culture of silence protecting Munro’s reputation, showing how the literary industry benefited while the abuse and its cover-up deeply affected Andrea’s life and identity.
- Aviv presents multiple perspectives from family members and Munro’s associates, allowing readers to form their own judgments without heavy editorializing.
- The collection highlights the enduring emotional complexities and hidden traumas in mother-daughter bonds, with Aviv’s work serving as a powerful companion to understanding Munro’s literature.
