You Me and the Violence

<div>Things puppets can do to us: charm deceive captivate fool trick remind amuse distract bore repulse annoy puzzle transport provoke fascinate stand in for kill. In <i>You</i> <i>Me and the Violence</i> Catherine Taylor ponders the nature of personal and political autonomy focusing on the surprising juxtaposition of puppetry and military drones. In a book at once politically significant and narratively engaging Taylor blends genres to question the roles of individuals within society and expose the gritty and emotional underpinnings of the seemingly mechanical process of a remote soldier.<br> From conversations with her own brother about his military experiences to Punch and Judy from the original tale of Pinocchio to the radio chatter of soldiers in active drone operation Taylor writes about family power and the theater of war in a voice both sly and sobering heartbreaking and hopeful.<br>  </div>