A soaring, sensual coming-of-age novel, by the legendary 'Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet'. If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive. A little black girl opens her eyes in 1930s Harlem. Around her, a heady swirl of passers-by, car horns, kerosene lamps, the stock market falling, fried bananas, tales of her parents' native Grenada. She trudges to public school along snowy sidewalks, and finds she is tongue-tied, legally blind, left behind by her older sisters. On she stumbles through teenage hardships -- suicide, abortion, hunger, a Christmas spent alone -- until she emerges into happiness: an oasis of friendship in Washington Heights, an affair in a dirty factory in Connecticut, and, finally, a journey down to the heat of Mexico, discovering sex, tenderness, and suppers of hot tamales and cold milk. This is Audre Lorde's story. It is a rapturous, life-affirming tale of independence, love, work, strength, sexuality and change, rich with poetry and fierce emotional power.
Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde (1934-1992) was a groundbreaking Black feminist writer, poet, and activist. Known for her powerful and unapologetic exploration of race, gender, sexuality, and identity, Lorde's work challenged societal norms and advocated for social justice.
Her most notable works include "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name," a biomythography exploring her identity as a Black lesbian woman, and "The Cancer Journals," a collection of essays reflecting on her battle with breast cancer. Lorde's writing style was characterized by its lyrical prose, emotional depth, and fierce honesty.
Lorde's contributions to literature include her advocacy for marginalized voices and her exploration of intersectionality. She was a key figure in the development of Black feminist theory and her work continues to inspire and empower readers today. Her most famous work is arguably the poetry collection "The Black Unicorn," which showcases her talent for blending personal experiences with broader social and political themes.
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