Customer Reviews

Callaloo & Other Lesbian Love Tales

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I found this book to be an excellent read. The stories covered various facets of lesbian relationships with an emphasis on African American lesbians. I found the story about a lesbian relationship between a slave and a slave owner's daughter especially poignant. My partner, who is not an avid book reader, also found it thoroughly enjoying. I look forward to seeing more works from Ms. Barnett and would recommend it to all my lesbian sisters.

Sixteen shorts are offered to us in LaShonda K. Barnett's first book titled Callaloo & Other Lesbian Love Tales. Many of the lesbian theme books available do not show the positive side of loving another women; the tender moments shared in a way that Callaloo does. Most of the stories in these 197 pages are from another era; a time when it was taboo to love another woman. Each story fills me with pride and appreciation for those who paved the way for us.

In "The Homecoming of Narda Boggs, a slave girl is brought to life by the European massa's daughter who happens to be African American. "Black Triangles, Rainbows and Dykes" gave the reader a little history of the upside down triangle. It initially started out as a negative and the gay and lesbian community brought the symbol alive. In Nazi Concentration camps when lesbians were "outed", they were forced to wear upside down triangles. The very last short "Callaloo" explains the origins of the word and how deep one will go to make their partner happy.

Some of the stories were lacking consistency. The language used to define the eras were mixed. The book promised love tales and it certainly makes good on that promise. When I reached the last pages of the book, it saddened me that LaShonda K. Barnett parked her pen. Although it excited me more to know she will be steering it again to complete Jam her second book.

Missy

Stories of love, loss and affection are finely written in CALLALOO & OTHER LESBIAN LOVE TALES. LaShonda K. Barnett book consists of 17 tasty morsels, each one portraying a distinct flavor of black lesbian love.

"Miss Hannah's Lesson" is one of the highlights of Callaloo, and it beautifully portrays the love between a house slave named Sarah and her mistress, Miss Hannah. Hannah cares so much for Sarah she helps the girl learn to read in spite of the trouble it could cause. Through Sarah's teachings, their love develops so effortlessly despite the differences in their skin color and stations in life.

Another highlight of Callaloo is the story "Meatloaf," a woman who agonizes over her lover's death, but realizes that life with Carmen wasn't a walk in the park. She relives the pain of living with an alcoholic lover, and decides that she's been grieving over Carmen far before her tragic death.

"Losing Sight of Lavender" is a poignant tale about Sael, a lesbian in a HIV-positive support group coming to terms with her mortality. Going to her meetings helps her to reminisce on her life and hope for a better tomorrow despite the prognosis she's been given.

Barnett does an excellent job with Callaloo and these adoring tales. It shows the many forms love can take, and just how we all can't live without a taste.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading her second book, "JAM!". This book gives you a look into the lives of African American lesbians, and touches on interracial issues as well. I found it to be passionate, thought provoking and real.