Mortal Embrace: Living With AIDS

by Emmanuel Dreuilhe, Linda Coverdale (Translator)

The virus causing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome seemed alarmingly able to exploit both biological and societal weaknesses as it spread through the world population in the 1980’s. Often undetected by the agents of its rapid dissemination, the virus also exhibited an uncanny ability to capitalize on prejudice and fear as it appeared among gay males, intravenous drug users, and other individuals given low priority in the formulation of international and national health policies.

Joining such notable books as Randy Schultz’s AND THE BAND PLAYED ON and Andrew Holleran’s GROUND ZERO in a growing library of works commenting on what must be considered a twentieth century plague, MORTAL EMBRACE: LIVING WITH AIDS documents the way in which Emmanuel Dreuilhe decided to combat his own case of AIDS. Rather than succumb to blind panic (some have killed themselves without even confirming that their blood tests were in fact HIV-positive), Dreuilhe chose to fight AIDS doggedly, as a nation might fight a difficult war. Indeed, envisioning himself besieged by a crafty enemy he both despises and respects, he uses war as an all-encompassing metaphor for his situation, utilizing an elaborate system of military analogies to bolster his morale. Because his battle against AIDS occurs within the context of governmental efforts against the plague, the sluggishness of politicians to commit themselves to the cause is also incorporated into his schemata. Stylistically wracked by a battery of metaphorical and literary allusions, MORTAL EMBRACE is a missive from a global battlefield upon which the mettle of individuals and society at large continues to be tested.

162 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

About the author

After a childhood and adolescence in Cambodia and Vietnam, he continued his graduate work at the research Institute of Political Studies in Paris , he is the author of a thesis on Marcel Proust and nationalism. He became a translator and correspondent of Gay Foot in New York. He testified of the disease in his book My Body, Journal of AIDS and in the television show Apostrophes October 30, 1987.

Reviews

[Marilyn McEntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written at the peak of the AIDS crisis in the US, this book surprised me by moving me to recognize the value of the military metaphor so widely overused and oversimplified in medicine. It's a metaphor I find distasteful to begin with, since I incline toward pacifism, and resist any analogy between healing and doing battle. Still the writer speaks from a place of being both physically and politically embattled, and presses the metaphor as far as it will go. It makes me see how that understanding of what it takes to decide to survive a life-threatening disease can equip some people--perhaps more men than women--to choose to life. Poetically and daringly written. Anyone interested in the experience of AIDS in America should take a look at it.

[John Treat · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no AIDS memoir like this, and it is unforgettable. A European with the memories of two world war not far behind him, Dreuihle saw his struggle with death like no gay American writer did.

[Vanessa (V.C.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written at the peak of the AIDS epidemic, this diary serves as not only a personal testament to one man’s struggle, strength, and resiliency, but is a remarkable piece of AIDS literature that’s frozen in time, serving as a reminder of the past. There’s also a lot of queer history here; Emmanuel mentions The AIDS Show, a theater group that educated as well as brought dark humor to people’s understanding of the virus that was new at the time, and ACT UP, as well as AZT and the initial trials. His analogy of war and being a soldier coinciding with his AIDS diagnosis was graphic and chilling, further humanizing such a stark and heartbreaking book. This is not necessarily a book that you can possibly “enjoy,” but I was truly moved by it. May Emmanuel rest in peace.

[Frank Duke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A haunting book. A man with AIDS describes is life as a guerilla war.