ARC OF LOVE: An Anthology of Lesbian Love Poems [Hardcover]

Clare Coss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 1996

A wide-ranging collection of lesbian love poetry is divided into four sections under the headings ""Light,"" ""Order,"" ""Vexation,"" and ""Endurance,"" and includes contributions by Sappho, Audre Lorde. 15,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This predominantly contemporary collection, although beginning and ending with poems by Sappho, includes the work of such expected writers as Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde, Robin Morgan, Marilyn Hacker, Olga Broumas and Muriel Rukeyser. Less familiar standouts are Margaret Randall, Melanie Hope and Joan Larkin, who recalls her father spanking her as a child: "his hands, his strong/ voice telling me I was loved" ("Beatings"). Less laudable is the editor's contribution. Coss, a psychotherapist, neatly quarters material into sections that follow the letters of the word love (light, order, vexation, and endurance/evolution/ecstasy). Coupled with simplistic introductions to each section, her "arc" resembles a 12-step program in which weaker poems are included because their sentiments fit the pattern. Many of the 87 contributors, however, surpass such utility.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (January 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684814463
• ISBN-13: 978-0684814469
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,873,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very good, November 10, 2002

By 

riley (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ribbons (Paperback)

ribbons- a book that on the surface seems simple. a gifted young dancer, robin, must stop dancing because of money problems, which are caused by her grandmother. some people may say this is a grandmother-grandaughter story but it isn't at all. it is another way to show injustice and tragedy. this book made me cry from the unfairness of it all, and the amazing thing about this book is this: whereas most sad books are entirely realistic, this one could happen very easily. the reality of it, and the robin's brave, bright, innocent hope in the midst of true sadness is what makes you cry. for while she is deeply upset with her mother and grandmother for reasons very justified, she sill loves, respects, and obeys them. this might confuse some readers, or make them angry, but for me...while i thought that i would never put up with that, yep somehow managed to put all the pain and suffering into words, and thats what makes you cry- the emotion that comes through. you must read this...while it is a tear-jerker, it somehow leaves you with a good feeling, and a sense o resolve.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story, July 19, 2000

By 

"breezie870" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ribbons (Paperback)

i love Laurence Yep's books, and this one is no exception. I like how he is able to write about Chinese people without using any stereotypes at all. In this book, the main character has problems with her grandmother. She eventually solves them, but along the way discovers amny things about her heritage. This book is good for people who are interested in other cultures and for Chinese-Americans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars connects the hearts of women across the world, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: ARC OF LOVE: An Anthology of Lesbian Love Poems (Hardcover)

This book runs the gamet of female emotions and tells us words we've all familiar with. For me, this book was very familiar. I was left nodding in agreement after quite a few poems. There are quite a few excellent poems but they are sadly balanced by a few un-poetic attempts to run words together in a seemingly poetic way.