Book review of Midgetism: The Exploitation and Experiences of People with Dwarfism

Abstract

This book is one in an ever growing and insightful body of literature from Pritchard, which seeks to contribute empirically to the contemporary social and cultural experiences of people with dwarfism. Methodologically, Pritchard engages with autocratical discourse analysis (Bolt, 2021); a hybrid process which seeks to acknowledge the legitimacy and status of autoethnography, personal narrative, and subjectivity, in the pursuit and construction of knowledge. As a methodological tool, this approach places importance on Pritchard’s identity and lived experience as a woman with dwarfism, alongside her reputation as an academic expert in the field of dwarfism and disability studies. Through this lens, the book goes on to explore the complexities and challenges that surround dominant discourses and cultural representations of dwarfism and its impact on the people who live with this condition.