Paula Kamen

Paula Kamen is an American author, journalist and playwright known for her work exploring feminist issues, generational perspectives, and chronic pain. Her writing career spans multiple decades and includes both journalistic works and personal narratives. Kamen gained recognition for her 1991 book "Feminist Fatale: Voices from the Twentysomething Generation Explore the Future of the Women's Movement," which examined evolving feminist attitudes among young women. Her 2000 book "Her Way: Young Women Remake the Sexual Revolution" further established her as a voice on gender and sexuality issues through extensive research and interviews with women across the United States. In 2005, Kamen published "All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache," documenting her personal experience with chronic daily headache and the broader medical and social implications of chronic pain conditions. The book merged memoir with investigative journalism, exploring both personal and systemic aspects of chronic illness. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Ms., and the Chicago Tribune. Kamen has also written several plays, including "Jane: Abortion and the Underground," which examines the history of the underground abortion service "Jane" in Chicago during the pre-Roe v. Wade era.

Readers value Kamen's research depth and personal storytelling style, particularly in her chronic pain memoir "All in My Head." Many cite her ability to blend medical information with humor and relatable experiences. What readers liked: - Thorough research and interviews in "Her Way" - Raw honesty about chronic illness struggles - Clear explanations of complex medical topics - Balance of personal narrative with broader social context What readers disliked: - Some found "All in My Head" repetitive - Several noted the writing style can be dense - A few readers wanted more concrete solutions for chronic pain - Some criticized "Feminist Fatale" as dated Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "All in My Head": 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) - "Her Way": 3.7/5 (200+ ratings) - "Feminist Fatale": 3.5/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon: - "All in My Head": 4.1/5 (50+ reviews) - "Her Way": 4.0/5 (30+ reviews) One reader noted: "She captures the frustration and isolation of chronic pain while maintaining dark humor throughout."

Feminist Fatale: Voices from the Twentysomething Generation Explore the Future of the Women's Movement (1991) A research-based examination of young women's attitudes toward feminism in the early 1990s, featuring interviews across the United States.

Her Way: Young Women Remake the Sexual Revolution (2000) A documented analysis of changing sexual attitudes and behaviors among young American women at the turn of the millennium.

All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache (2005) A combined memoir and investigative work exploring the author's experience with chronic daily headache and the broader implications of chronic pain conditions.

Finding Iris Chang (2007) A biographical investigation into the life and death of historian Iris Chang, examining her accomplishments and the circumstances surrounding her suicide.

Jane: Abortion and the Underground (Play) A dramatic work documenting the history of Chicago's pre-Roe v. Wade underground abortion service known as "Jane."

Susan Faludi addresses feminist themes and gender politics through investigative journalism, examining cultural shifts and backlash against women's rights in works like "Backlash" and "Stiffed." Her research-based approach combines personal narratives with broader social analysis, similar to Kamen's exploration of generational feminism.

Peggy Orenstein writes about women's and girls' experiences through reported narratives and cultural criticism, covering topics from sexuality to gender socialization. Her work in books like "Girls & Sex" uses extensive interviews and research methodology comparable to Kamen's approach in "Her Way."

Susannah Cahalan chronicles her experience with a rare medical condition in "Brain on Fire," combining personal narrative with medical investigation. Her examination of the healthcare system and patient experience parallels Kamen's work on chronic pain in "All in My Head."

Jennifer Baumgardner explores third-wave feminism and generational perspectives on women's rights through both personal essays and journalism. Her books including "Manifesta" examine similar themes to Kamen's work on younger women's relationship to feminism.

Leslie Jamison writes about pain, empathy, and medical experiences through a combination of memoir and cultural criticism in works like "The Empathy Exams." Her investigation of chronic conditions and medical treatment systems shares common ground with Kamen's writing on chronic headache.