In The Body of the World

Best known for her seminal play The Vagina Monologues, Ensler recounts her time working in the Congo to help a female populace ravaged by rape and warfare. It’s an emotionally wrenching time for Ensler, who is later diagnosed with uterine cancer and finds herself forced to undergo months of invasive treatment. Ensler draws thematic connections between the two subjects—her own body’s treatment and that of women throughout the world. Ensler’s narration in this audio edition is as rich and personal as the text itself. One can sense her frustrations as her body rebels against her. Yet as a reader, Ensler’s range is limited, her performance often lacks subtlety, and she fails sometimes to transition smoothly between sections. A Metropolitan hardcover. (Apr.)