The Cancer Journals: Special Edition [Hardcover]

Audre Lorde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

Lorde's 1980 book, w/tributes by a dozen women

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

First published in 1980, this new edition brings together posthumous tributes to Lorde from such writers and poets as Margaret Randall, Jewelle Gomez, and Barbara Smith, among others. The forthrightness and ferocity with which Audre Lorde greeted every social injustice is in full force in this courageous exploration of her breast cancer and mastectomy. Using the journal, memoir, and essay forms, Lorde gives voice to her "feelings and thoughts about the travesty of prosthesis, the pain of amputation, the function of cancer in a profit economy, confrontation with mortality, the strength of women loving, and the power and rewards of self-conscious living." Lorde powerfully weaves together the three literary forms, allowing her to leap from raw expressions of pain to her inimitably astute social observations.

Lorde began writing her journal entries six months after her radical mastectomy; they illustrate her process of integrating the crisis into her life, retelling her experience from detection to follow-up therapies. Lorde's most passionate battle was waged against silence. "This is it, Audre," Lorde wrote. "You're on your own." Where was the model? she asked, seeking another voice to speak to her experience. In The Cancer Journals, Audre Lorde has given us a rich, powerful model that is, alas, still relevant.

About the Author

Audre Lorde (1934-1992) wrote eighteen books of essays and poetry, for which she won numerous awards, including the American Book Award for A Burst of Light. She received a Masters of Library Science from Columbia University. After working several years as a librarian, she became a professor of English-first at John Jay College and later at Hunter College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Aunt Lute Books; 2 edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879960516
• ISBN-13: 978-1879960510
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a great tool in overcomming the fear of breast cancer., December 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cancer Journals: Special Edition (Hardcover)

I cried through most of this book. Not out of pity for what Audre was going through, but simply because I have seldom seen anyone face such a crisis with such nobility and strength. On some level I think we all fear breast cancer. This book took the terror out of it for me and made me feel that if I were to end up with cancer that I would somehow come through it okay. Audre demonstrates that no matter how bad things get there is something to be learned and gained by the experience. She is a very inspiring and admirable women. She deals with the issue from both a practical, political, intellectual standpoint as well as an emotional one. I would recomend this book for anyone who has, or knows anyone with cancer, and for anyone who simply gets overwhelmed by the thought of someday getting breast cancer.She took on a tough and painful subject with the sensitivity and style of the poet she was , and gave us some wisdom to live by.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all especially in health care, January 7, 2009

By 

H. R. Ditzenberger (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cancer Journals: Special Edition (Paperback)

I'm a student nurse and bought this book for a class I'm taking. It was an amazing read! I may not have agreed with all of her points considering the medical advances that have been made and changes that have occured since the original was published, maybe in part due to Audre. It's a very candid take on living with cancer through the eyes of the cancer "warrior." It is a definate must read for anyone in the medical profession since she brings up several events that stood out concerning her nurses and doctors. She was a black, lesbian, feminist, poet, warrior and she really brought a lot of thought provoking topics into my life.

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, September 11, 2007

By 

Dr.JNixt (Mid-Town, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cancer Journals: Special Edition (Paperback)

Audre Lorde gives a good idea of exactly what she's feeling in her journals, even down to the negative aspects of her disease that some would more than likely keep to themselves. I appreciate her frankness and willingness to open up to other women thinking the same things.

The thoughts bounced around a bit but overall I appreciate her putting her journey into words.