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jackiejackiejackiee's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I saw this book on a TikTok video recommending books for lesbians/queer folks. I was especially drawn to it as someone who wasn't quite out and was trying to understand myself. As someone who enjoys critical literature, this ticked all the boxes. My only negative is that I would not recommend this for those trying to discover their sexuality, in fact, I believe this book may be better suited for a little later in one's queer journey. I am eager to revisit this book as I grow into my lesbianhood to fully grasp the lessons, advice, and stories it shares.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
tinyjude's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
First of all, this collection is a must need to read for everyone. Anthologies like this are essential for the remembrance of these marginalized communities and on an individual level, they serve as models for black queer women to see themselves in history; to inspire, support and uplift black queer women. This collection is full of gorgeous writing (essays, poems, stories and just thoughts in general). As you read, you are able to percieve how vital, empowering and healing it was for every single one of these women to create this. The inconmensurable love they have and put into this work.
"Mouths of Rain is an offering to the Black lesbians who named themselves, taking everything that came with being in the life. Mouths of Rain is an offering to the Black lesbians who could not name themselves, who named themselves and died because of it. Mouths of Rain is an offering to the Black lesbians who have yet to be called or named"
Full of intimacy, vulnerability, rage, admiration and love; the book essentially tries to honour their ancestors, the lives and creativity and political force of other black women from the present, past and future. In doing so, I found many poets, essayists, writers... about whom I am eager to investigate their works. And others who I knew and fell in love harder with their minds, such as Audre Lorde's understanding of the erotic, which was glorious. It is a vision I share but could not put it properly into words. Her understanding of love, the erotic and the self, is admirable, inspiring and eye-opening.
Lastly, Anita's Cornwell essay was piercing, funny, thought-provoking with her social commentaries.
I could go on but I think this is enough. If the social commentary (racism, sexism, homophobia, white supremacy, etc), the witty and profound essays, the black feminist queer lens adopted and the works of incredible black queer women are not enough to persuade you to pick it up, I don't know what could.
"Mouths of Rain is an offering to the Black lesbians who named themselves, taking everything that came with being in the life. Mouths of Rain is an offering to the Black lesbians who could not name themselves, who named themselves and died because of it. Mouths of Rain is an offering to the Black lesbians who have yet to be called or named"
Full of intimacy, vulnerability, rage, admiration and love; the book essentially tries to honour their ancestors, the lives and creativity and political force of other black women from the present, past and future. In doing so, I found many poets, essayists, writers... about whom I am eager to investigate their works. And others who I knew and fell in love harder with their minds, such as Audre Lorde's understanding of the erotic, which was glorious. It is a vision I share but could not put it properly into words. Her understanding of love, the erotic and the self, is admirable, inspiring and eye-opening.
Lastly, Anita's Cornwell essay was piercing, funny, thought-provoking with her social commentaries.
I could go on but I think this is enough. If the social commentary (racism, sexism, homophobia, white supremacy, etc), the witty and profound essays, the black feminist queer lens adopted and the works of incredible black queer women are not enough to persuade you to pick it up, I don't know what could.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Lesbophobia