Having and Being Had by Eula Biss

Having and Being Had, a 2020 book written by Eula Biss, is a thought-provoking exploration of labor, economy, and the commodification of everyday life. Breaking up the book into two distinct halves, "Having" and "Being Had," Biss guides readers through an examination of how money and ownership shapes our lives and relationships.

The first section, ‘Having’ focuses on the concept of ‘having and the relentless pursuit of capitalist gain’. Biss writes of how our relationships to possessions and buying come to define us, and thus, our most intimate relationships become secondary. She captures how we come to feel less connected and more enslaved to objects and possessions. Biss further dives into how labor and work are also subject to being monetized and commodified, as she illustrates with the story of a ‘work family’ and how it is scheduled around asset accumulation.

The second section, ‘Being Had’ takes readers on a journey to investigate systems of ownership and control over everyday life, marriage and debt, along with the impact of those systems on status, wealth and gender. In the chapter ‘Having and Not Having a Baby’, Biss goes beyond the means by which we organize of our lives through commodity and possession. She examines the idea that in a market-based society, the decision to become a parent may often be seen as a source of gain or as having a monetary balance sheet attached to it.

Explaining her own journey working through these ideas, Biss provides readers with, at times, an intimate look into how these economic systems impact and shape our day-to-day lives. She also brings in outside sources as a way to deepen and broaden her discourse, incorporating fiction, critical theory, and personal testimonies from individuals to illustrate her points.

At the same time, Biss does not provide readers with easy answers or solutions for moving forward. Instead, she encourages readers to consider the potential of creating new ways of living and relating to each other, goods, and money. As the book comes to a close, Biss challenges the assumptions of having and being had, while providing inspiration to grapple with the complex issues of money and power in our daily lives.

Overall, Having and Being Had is a unique and timely examination of the intersection between wealth and relationships, labor and goods, and the commodification of our everyday lives. Through vivid examples and captivating writing, Biss unpacks deep and complicated topics with an ease of understanding. The book provides readers with an opportunity to critique systems of power and envision new possibilities of life beyond those systems. Through her work, Biss has created a powerful commentary on the ways in which capitalism and our collective obsession with having shapes our world and our lives.