Editorial Reviews
Book Description
In 1987 horrific tales of organ theft that had been circulating in Central and South America for years reached the international media. Soon reports came from all over the planet, rising to a crescendo in the late 1990s. Véronique Campion-Vincent describes these narratives in detail and classifies them as corresponding to three basic types: the Baby Parts Story, Eye Thieves, and Kidney Heists. She then recounts the social problems that seemed to make these awful legends plausible—trade in human organs bought from the living poor; advances in modern medicine which seemed to blur the lines between life and death; the ills of poverty in the developing world and its consequences; and human trafficking.
Campion-Vincent also explains how religious and moral authorities, political campaigners, propagandists, and the media all exploited the legends of organ theft according to their specific agendas. She reviews the explanations offered by authorities, reporters and anthropologists, and offers her own analysis using the methods of folklore, pointing out the similarities between organ theft stories and the perennial tale of the Slaughter of the Innocents. Noting the real trials of everyday life in much of the Third World and the existence of documented cases of illegal trafficking in organs, corpses, and children, Campion-Vincent does not idly dismiss these tales as just another example of urban legends run amok. Instead, she offers a nuanced analysis of the connections between traditional horror tales, modern trends, and real events to show just how complicated it can be to know the truth of any particular story.
These legends are still in use and variations remain commonplace throughout the world. Campion-Vincent notes, sadly, that the social problems that paralleled the rise of organ theft narratives are still very present today.
From the Publisher
This unflinching exploration of the sources of tales of dismemberment:
* Offers a nuanced analysis by a noted international scholar of horrific stories told throughout the world
* Examines specific cases and accounts as related in the international media and in United Nations and government reports
* Balances folklore accounts and descriptions of real events to show the close connection between the two
* Was originally published in French (Les Belles Lettres) in 1997, and features a new afterword for the American edition
Organ Theft Legends
Organ Theft Legends,Veronique Campion-Vincent,University Press of Mississippi,1578065933,Body snatching,Folklore,Folklore & Mythology,Folklore & Mythology - Folklore,Media Studies,Organs (Anatomy),Popular Culture - General,Social Science,Sociology,Theft
Books:
Books