Rating: 
Summary: Impressive.
Review: The subject matter of this book is incest, a difficult topic to absorb. No one wants to hear of a young child or young adult abused by one of the people they are programmed to trust the most. A story like this could be written as a tawdry tell all. It could be written in such a straighforward manner that one could be turned off before they can absorb the storyline in all it's pain and disillusionment. This book does not make any of those mistakes or any other mistake one could imagine. Harrison's story is hard to take in, not because of the incest, but really because of the pain of betrayal and loss of self that insues when incest occurs. Sex, childhood and innocence are beautiful and priceless. To lose those things is a tragedy, something difficult for most of us to take in. Harrison draws us into a story that many are too sensitive to hear. She does this with a talent few writers have. Its easy to write a romance novel, its hard to write a romance novel between a daughter and her father. And, of course, its alward hard to write so well.
Rating:
Summary: The truth has set Harrison free
Review: This is the story that Harrison had been longing to tell. There are traces of the same story in her first novel "Thicker than Water." There are traces of the same story in her second novel "Exposure". And then she wrote "The Kiss", which is an unadorned, unapologetic first-hand account of a very disturbing, violating relationship with her own father. The telling of Harrison's story is amazingly well done. No self-pity, no over-analysis. Just the plain and simple albeit disturbing facts. This short book, though at times hard to read, is even harder to put down, and impossible to forget. Writing this memoir took guts of steel. And no, she's not "cashing in on the incest trend" like some of her critics accuse. Those who are uncomfortable hearing about incest need to realize that keeping victims silent helps allow it to happen. However, this book is not motivated by money or awareness causes. It appears motivated by the author's own need to free herself from the paralyzing memories of the horrible situation she was thrust into, to explain it to herself as much as to the reader. To "get it off her chest" so she could move on. Harrison fans like myself will also notice that she *has* moved on. Her novels since this memoir ("Poison" and "The Binding Chair") show that Harrison's mind is now free to imagine other stories worth telling, which are painstakingly researched and beautifully written. I highly recommend this book. It is this gifted author's best work, and it is one you will never forget.
Rating: 
Summary: French Kisses
Review: I did enjoy this book don't misunderstand. I read it one day. She writes flowery and passionate. Huge subject matter she tackles with a deep longing and sadness. "...one Kiss. An instant, seemingly discrete and isolated in time, yet paradoxically so, for the kiss has grown. It is like a vast, glittering wall between me and everything else.." I love every character in this complex novel. I just didn't love it enough to read her other works. In all a cleansing novel for a girl a bit too apologetic for her experiences.
Rating:
Summary: Entrancing, Horrifying, Blindingly Honest
Review: In simple, powerful prose, Kathryn Harrison tells a story of something that no human being should have to endure, of the incestuous abuse that happened to herself.I find it stunning that Harrison was able to write about her abuse with such mental acuity, such wisdom, and such vicious honesty. While the events in this book were horrifying beyond belief, I simply could not put it down, could not stop reading it, and go back to it time and again. Like the narcotic kiss Harrison describes her father inflicting upon her, I find the book to be like morphine: powerful, seductive, addictive, and sickening. The worst of the reality in this book is that Harrison has exposed something that truly happens, something our society hides, something we pretend does not exist. This book is so real, it must be read.
Rating:
Summary: packs a whollop
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I'd heard Harrison interviewed about it, and the interview was interesting enough that I decided to read the book. Part of me was concerned it was a Rikki Lake show wanabee, some fifteen minutes of fame kinda thing. No, though; it's a well-written and shocking read. It's a page-turner--I, not a particularly fast reader, finished it over the course of two weekdays. I reached a point in the memoir where I knew I would have to finish it in that sitting. It's difficult to explain, but the subject matter is very carefully handled. While one might imagine her own experience might validate a graphic treatment of the topic, Harrison conveys the tale in such a way as to avoid sensationalism; I grew more squeamish in the "good parts" of Lolita than at any time in this book. The prose is stark and beautiful. No words are squandered. Her use of the present tense is riveting; her story is a tragedy, but you get the feeling she's dealt with it, put it behind her with this book, that she is not ruined for life by the rough start she had. One of the most meaningful things about this memoir is that truth is stranger than fiction. It's unbelievable as the "affair" develops--you simply can't imagine anyone ever being so dreadful as her father is. I'm a fairly worldly person living in San Francisco, and I sat in my house alone, turning pages with my mouth wide open, occasionally exclaiming to no one... the book is a great ride and it gives you a frank view of more than the incest taboo.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!
Review: Even though the subject matter in this book is disgusting, it is very hard to put the book down. I picked up the book and thought "Well, I won't get very far into this because of the subject matter." Was I ever wrong. Ms. Harrison very eloquently tells her story about her incestuous relationship with her father. In telling her story, she simply tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth. She isn't looking for pity nor is she wallowing in self-pity. She has pulled herself out of a horrible situation and writes about it frankly and matter-of-factly. Ms. Harrison is a very brave person and a great writer.
Rating:
Summary: The truth has set Harrison free
Review: This is the story that Harrison had been longing to tell. There are traces of the same story in her first novel "Thicker than Water." There are traces of the same story in her second novel "Exposure". And then she wrote "The Kiss", which is an unadorned, unapologetic first-hand account of a very disturbing, violating relationship with her own father. The telling of Harrison's story is amazingly well done. No self-pity, no over-analysis. Just the plain and simple albeit disturbing facts. This short book, though at times hard to read, is even harder to put down, and impossible to forget. Writing this memoir took guts of steel. And no, she's not "cashing in on the incest trend" like some of her critics accuse. Those who are uncomfortable hearing about incest need to realize that keeping victims silent helps allow it to happen. However, this book is not motivated by money or awareness causes. It appears motivated by the author's own need to free herself from the paralyzing memories of the horrible situation she was thrust into, to explain it to herself as much as to the reader. To "get it off her chest" so she could move on. Harrison fans like myself will also notice that she *has* moved on. Her novels since this memoir ("Poison" and "The Binding Chair") show that Harrison's mind is now free to imagine other stories worth telling, which are painstakingly researched and beautifully written. I highly recommend this book. It is this gifted author's best work, and it is one you will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: French Kisses
Review: I did enjoy this book don't misunderstand. I read it one day. She writes flowery and passionate. Huge subject matter she tackles with a deep longing and sadness. "...one Kiss. An instant, seemingly discrete and isolated in time, yet paradoxically so, for the kiss has grown. It is like a vast, glittering wall between me and everything else.." I love every character in this complex novel. I just didn't love it enough to read her other works. In all a cleansing novel for a girl a bit too apologetic for her experiences.
Rating: 
Summary: A disturbing, compelling memoir!
Review: Kathryn Harrison's The Kiss is quite an intense memoir. Kathryn Harrison's four-year-old incestuous affair with her father is disturbing and disarming. Despite the fact that she mentions all of the events that lead to her relationship with her father -- her loveless childhood, her struggles with eating disorders and depression -- Harrison does not expect her readers to pity her. Her memoir is honest and compelling. I applaud her ability to share her truths. I'm glad she told her startling story to the world. She is an amazing author -- one of the best authors of this era. I recommend this book to those who like books with unflinching honesty.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: This book is a must read even if the thought of incest turns your stomach. Harrison never goes into detail with the sex and her style of writing is beautiful. The way she describes her relationship with her father makes the reader almost understand how she becomes so controlled by him and their relationship is never based on sex. I started this book late last night and couldn't put it down. I am very picky about memoirs, but this is pure gold.
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