alicebme's review

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5.0

My heart swelled reading these letters. Makes me miss my letter-writing sister.

kaylin1612's review

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5.0

Ahhh what a wonderful wonderful collection, it truly feels like an honor to be able to read their letters. To see the ups and downs of a friendship over time. To see these women help each other through the toughest times in their lives. To see the dates between letters and recognize the beauty in sustaining a long lasting connection. Seeing them get annoyed at each other for how long it’s taken them to respond. Watching as they both get new partners.

It’s just fascinating to look at their lives like that, to have evidence that these women lived and loved and laughed and cared for each other, and the world around them. Watching them each struggle with depression and struggle through cancer and their changing bodies.

This was honestly beautiful. I teared up at the end. Obviously I knew what the ending was going into it, it’s real life. But that made it a tough read at times, watching that date get closer and closer. Watching them talk about their children growing up and knowing they wouldn’t be there to see more of it. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

These letters were just so raw and vulnerable, I wish there were more. But it’s a wonderful window into their lives and friendship. I’m happy I read these. They’ve inspired me to do more about my own long distance friendships, and even the non-long distance ones. It’s never too late to show up for people you care for.

Rest in peace Pat and Audre. The world was made better because you were in it.

juliagrowsfast's review

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"beware all the hatred you've stored up inside you, and the locks on your tender places" from audre to pat

bungelical's review

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fast-paced

5.0

abookdoctor's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

roseswordgardens's review

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

5.0

readerpants's review

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5.0

It's been a long time since I read Audre Lorde's nonfiction, and I don't think I've ever read Pat Parker - this makes me really want to go back and (re)read everything!

What struck me most reading these is where they're situated in time, and how much like today it feels. When I was in high school in the early 90s, Zami was one of the only queer books I had available to me in the library, so I read it multiple times. It felt like ancient history to my 16yo self. That shaped my perception of Lorde as a writer, because I've always mistakenly thought of her as writing in the 50s. So reading these letters in the (very contemporary-feeling) 7os and 80s was eye-opening... they felt so near in terms of chronology, history, lineage, community, everything.

My only real complaint is that I wish it were longer - I would have loved so much more.

katlynah's review

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

sweet & special to eavesdrop on these two corresponding 

boldlydanialie's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

ivylong's review

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funny hopeful sad fast-paced

4.0