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annecharlotte_reads's review
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
It's a pleasure to find Dorothy Allison's voice from Two or Three Things I Know For Sure again, frank, clever, raw and powerful. These essays span decades of living and thinking as a lesbian, a feminist and a survivor of incest and poverty. Some might feel outdated as they're so anchored in the sexual politics of the time, but overall they remain relevant and insightful. The collection is both a document of lesbian and feminist history and a challenge for today's activists to do and love better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
tonitrap's review
3.0
Allison's essays are passionate and bold, if not a bit earnest. Much of what has been compiled
In this essay collection feels a bit dated, particularly in regard to issues of sex positivity and lesbian identity (I confess to cringing at the first of many mentions of her "lesbian feminist collective" because it all seemed so heavy handed and old school). Allison is probably thrilled that one would feel that because it means progress has been made in the revolution she has so passionately fought for all of her adult life. Sadly, some of the issues that she deals with, namely those of class, are less changed and more poignant than ever. One wonders if a young woman in the position she was in would even be able to move forward in this age where class divisions are more deeply entrenched and upward mobility is more of a populist talking point than a reality.
The essays are indeed about sex, class and literature. In general, I loved the essays about sex and class. They were bold and biting with honesty. I was less taken by the essays on writing and literature. This has much to do with personal preference. I am not a fan of writers describing their craft particularly when, like Allison, it becomes all too mired in self aggrandizement and diatribes on the power of honest writing to save the world. I get...I get...you bravely wield your pen in the name of revolution.
When not too navel gazing, Allison's essays are fantastic.
In this essay collection feels a bit dated, particularly in regard to issues of sex positivity and lesbian identity (I confess to cringing at the first of many mentions of her "lesbian feminist collective" because it all seemed so heavy handed and old school). Allison is probably thrilled that one would feel that because it means progress has been made in the revolution she has so passionately fought for all of her adult life. Sadly, some of the issues that she deals with, namely those of class, are less changed and more poignant than ever. One wonders if a young woman in the position she was in would even be able to move forward in this age where class divisions are more deeply entrenched and upward mobility is more of a populist talking point than a reality.
The essays are indeed about sex, class and literature. In general, I loved the essays about sex and class. They were bold and biting with honesty. I was less taken by the essays on writing and literature. This has much to do with personal preference. I am not a fan of writers describing their craft particularly when, like Allison, it becomes all too mired in self aggrandizement and diatribes on the power of honest writing to save the world. I get...I get...you bravely wield your pen in the name of revolution.
When not too navel gazing, Allison's essays are fantastic.
asleinbe's review
5.0
This may be one of my favorite books - Allison's writing is just so beautiful, and tackles intense topics in a way I haven't seen before. Definitely a book to lend to friends, and to re-read when the world feels like too much.
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