The Cancer Journals: Special Edition [Paperback]

Audre Lorde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

“Grief, terror, courage, the passion for survival and for more than survival, are here in the searchings of a great poet.”—Adrienne Rich

“This book teaches me that with one breast or none, I am still me.”—Alice Walker

“The forthrightness and ferocity with which Audre Lorde greeted every social injustice is in full force in this courageous exploration.”—Amazon.com

Moving between journal entry, memoir, and exposition, Audre Lorde fuses the personal and political as she reflects on her experience coping with breast cancer and a radical mastectomy. Includes photos and tributes to Lorde written after her death in 1992.

Editorial Reviews

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

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Aunt Lute Books; Special edition (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879960737
• ISBN-13: 978-1879960732
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Biographies & Memoirs
  • #70 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Cancer

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.