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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I loved the prose section, and will look for more. I loved reading about queer families and relationships from the 1970s.
4.5/5
The Selected Works of Audre Lorde opens with an introduction by Roxane Gay. Normally, I’m not super attentive towards introductions, but this one deeply informed my understanding and enhanced my appreciation of the forthcoming works that are divided into two sections: prose and poetry.
Having read [b:Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches|32951|Sister Outsider Essays and Speeches|Audre Lorde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1168407974l/32951._SY75_.jpg|716939], I was already familiar with most of the prose section. But even my re-readings of the speeches felt as if I were reading the works for the first time, as I kept finding new ideas that never stuck out to me before.
What I love most about Audre Lorde is that poetic elements continue to manifest in her essays, speeches, and journals. She always explains things so beautifully, but never to the point where it detracts from her arguments.
As someone who was previously unfamiliar with Lorde's poetry, the second section was a great introduction for me. Since I'm just getting into the habit of reading poetry books, this part did take me longer to read. However, I deeply appreciate the way Lorde experiments with structure, text, and spacing and constructs thoroughly developed images and metaphors to tackle the subjects of race, misogyny, family, capitalism, sapphic relationships, etc.
For the most part, the pieces were thoughtfully curated; there were just a few poems that read as awkward, as well as one poem that comes up twice - hence my 4.5/5 rating.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who would like an introduction to Lorde’s writing; if you’re already well-versed in her works, then it may not do much for you.
The Selected Works of Audre Lorde opens with an introduction by Roxane Gay. Normally, I’m not super attentive towards introductions, but this one deeply informed my understanding and enhanced my appreciation of the forthcoming works that are divided into two sections: prose and poetry.
Having read [b:Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches|32951|Sister Outsider Essays and Speeches|Audre Lorde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1168407974l/32951._SY75_.jpg|716939], I was already familiar with most of the prose section. But even my re-readings of the speeches felt as if I were reading the works for the first time, as I kept finding new ideas that never stuck out to me before.
What I love most about Audre Lorde is that poetic elements continue to manifest in her essays, speeches, and journals. She always explains things so beautifully, but never to the point where it detracts from her arguments.
As someone who was previously unfamiliar with Lorde's poetry, the second section was a great introduction for me. Since I'm just getting into the habit of reading poetry books, this part did take me longer to read. However, I deeply appreciate the way Lorde experiments with structure, text, and spacing and constructs thoroughly developed images and metaphors to tackle the subjects of race, misogyny, family, capitalism, sapphic relationships, etc.
For the most part, the pieces were thoughtfully curated; there were just a few poems that read as awkward, as well as one poem that comes up twice - hence my 4.5/5 rating.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who would like an introduction to Lorde’s writing; if you’re already well-versed in her works, then it may not do much for you.
What a beautiful, necessary, exquisite and brutal book. This is an active read - it is not an escape but a demand for introspection and a reckoning with yourself and your actions.
emotional
reflective
She’s a legend for so many reasons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Misogyny, Racism
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Racial slurs, Police brutality, Murder
3.5 I think. Lorde’s essays and speeches and monumental, then and now. She is so clear in her understanding and analysis of patriarchy, white supremacy, heterosexism, classism - she’s just so… great.
I also found her journals during her bout with cancer to be really moving. I remember writing at one point like, “She’s just so full of life,” and she really was. And I find that really inspirational, I think. Her reflections on what was this all for, and trying to make sure her life was worth it was really interesting, too.
The poetry was a miss with me though, sadly! I think some of it was solid, but I think she went a bit more abstract than I like. Such is life!
I also found her journals during her bout with cancer to be really moving. I remember writing at one point like, “She’s just so full of life,” and she really was. And I find that really inspirational, I think. Her reflections on what was this all for, and trying to make sure her life was worth it was really interesting, too.
The poetry was a miss with me though, sadly! I think some of it was solid, but I think she went a bit more abstract than I like. Such is life!
This was my first time reading Lorde’s work and I was so incredibly touched by her vulnerability, rawness and the power of her words. I really liked this book and took my time to slowly go through this one.