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yikesbmg's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a 2-3 weeks to get through this book. I appreciated it for giving me a fuller sense of who Audre Lorde was and why, though the author is very forthright about this being one vision of Lorde and not the the vision. I honestly didn’t love the vision portrayed — I don’t think that this book’s Lorde is someone I would have wanted to be friends with or really want to spend much time with. That’s ok, though, because before I had a very untouchable perception of Lorde as a writer, poet, etc.
I think this book does a tremendous job of putting events into context in a way that allows readers to appreciate Lorde’s actions and decisions more fully. I also really loved that they author shaded different perspectives on what Lorde perceived, particularly when it came to experiences Lorde based her experiences on. I have to say, reading about her approach to sexual relationships with other lesbian women, particularly those that were younger and adored/looked to her for mentorship, was very, very alarming. I am glad the author took time and space to mention it more than once.
If you want to learn more about Audre Lorde and get a sense for how complex of a person she was, I’d recommend this book. If you hold her in an unrealistic pedestal, I’d recommend this book, too. Not to knock her down it but to just fill out the edges of the person you respect. If you like reading good biographies, I’d recommend it as well.
I think this book does a tremendous job of putting events into context in a way that allows readers to appreciate Lorde’s actions and decisions more fully. I also really loved that they author shaded different perspectives on what Lorde perceived, particularly when it came to experiences Lorde based her experiences on. I have to say, reading about her approach to sexual relationships with other lesbian women, particularly those that were younger and adored/looked to her for mentorship, was very, very alarming. I am glad the author took time and space to mention it more than once.
If you want to learn more about Audre Lorde and get a sense for how complex of a person she was, I’d recommend this book. If you hold her in an unrealistic pedestal, I’d recommend this book, too. Not to knock her down it but to just fill out the edges of the person you respect. If you like reading good biographies, I’d recommend it as well.
the_llawma's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
steds's review against another edition
5.0
Compelling, complex biography. Great for any and all Lorde-heads.
berrystrawbs's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
jw2869's review against another edition
4.0
I really struggled through this. It took me months (during which I read three other books) and I've been sitting with why. It finally hit me that I struggled through this book because it shows Lorde in all her complexity - in not only the shining light of her genius, but in the dark side of her petulance and constant need for recognition. It portrayed her in all of her humanity which in turn forced me to look at myself in all my dark and light. That's the beauty of this biography. It doesn't white wash anything about Audre Lorde and allows you to truly understand the inner and outer work it takes to be at the top of your game and reminds us that all of our greats are fallible humans. We all fear our own mortality and relevance. We change our opinions and positions as we expand our awareness of the world around us. We make mistakes in our interpersonal relationships. We need and sometimes ask for more than we give. But through it all we make our mark. We contribute to our collective growth and liberation. I'm thankful for Lorde's gift and the work Alexis De Veaux did to contextualize and humanize the person behind the art.