CutAwayisanovelthatexpertlyentwinesthelivesofthreecharactersstrugglingtounderstandthemeaningofidentityanditsseemingmutability.Orbitingaroundthemysteryofamissingteenager,atrioofnarratorseachtellsherstoryinturn.AlexandraisatransgenderedwomanwhohasrefusedsurgeryandabandonedLosAngelesforatraileratthedesolateSaltonSea.Asa,themotheroftherunaway,wantshergrief-riddenfacecompletelytransformed.Eleanor,aplasticsurgeon,isfascinatedwithsurfacesandwonderswhethervisualharmonyhasthepowertochangewhatliesbeneath.Inacultureobsessedwithtransformingthebody,dotheincarnatefictionswecreatehavethepowertohideorrevealthetruthofwhowereallyare?ThisisaquestionthatCatherineKirkwoodapproachesinastunningdebutnovelofdesire,self-loathing,andtherevisionarymadnessofourmodernworld.
