The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde [Paperback]

Audre Lorde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

A complete collection—over 300 poems—from one of this country's most influential poets.

"These are poems which blaze and pulse on the page."—Adrienne Rich "The first declaration of a black, lesbian feminist identity took place in these poems, and set the terms—beautifully, forcefully—for contemporary multicultural and pluralist debate."—Publishers Weekly "This is an amazing collection of poetry by . . . one of our best contemporary poets. . . . Her poems are powerful, often political, always lyrical and profoundly moving."—Chuckanut Reader Magazine "What a deep pleasure to encounter Audre Lorde's most potent genius . . . you will welcome the sheer accessibility and the force and beauty of this volume."—Out Magazine

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the definitive and complete Audre Lorde collection, including original and revised versions of Lorde's previously unavailable early poems and her later work, which Robin Morgan calls "sinewy, lyrical, celebratory even in the face of death." Lorde was able to write indignantly about political matters ("jessehelms," her excoriation of the right-wing icon, is outrageously funny and angry), and her eloquence from the margins made her an inspiration to many readers. Lorde's writings about family, erotic love, and quiet, beautiful moments of reflection also leave a deep impression. As Adrienne Rich has noted: "These are poems which blaze and pulse on the page." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Lorde?a recent New York State poet, author of ten books, a self-styled "black lesbian mother warrior poet," and matriarch of the North American lesbian feminist movement?has been sorely missed since her death of cancer in 1992. For readers familiar with Lorde's seminal essays in Sister Outsider (1984), this volume offers a complementary view. The poems are not easy to read in that many of them document the everyday horrors of racism and sexism, eulogizing victims who would otherwise have been forgotten, Lorde's commitment to the fight against injustice, her struggle to raise her children, and her insistence on honest communication with women and men she considered her sisters and brothers are rendered passionately and urgently throughout her oeuvre, from The First Cities, published in 1968, to her posthumous The Marvelous Arithmetic of Distance (Norton, 1993). Lorde's ties that bind are those of blood and also of passion and conviction. Recommended where Lorde's work is popular.?Ina Rimpau, Newark P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393319725
• ISBN-13: 978-0393319729
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic of Audre Lorde...., December 17, 1999

By 

M. Grace Macy "BeijaFlor" (Los Angeles, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde (Hardcover)

In my opinion, Audre Lorde is one of the best poets of our time. Her words create vibrant images in the mind, as well as indelibly printing their echoes on the heart. Whether harsh and dark, or light and singing, her verse is incomparable. This book, a collection of her works, can be nothing less than brilliant simply for being exactly what it is. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes poetry -- and even some who don't. Lorde can change your view of the genre if anyone can.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great companion for a great poet, March 16, 2003

By 

Scott Woods (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde (Paperback)

Collecting the work of the incredibly accessible and graceful Lorde, this book gives you not only all of her work in one fell swoop, but one of the best overviews of style and voice that can be found in one poet.

A must-have for poets and an incredible teaching resource.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book Ever, July 20, 2000

By 

Claudia C. Copeland (NY, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde (Paperback)

This book of poetry should be required for life. It is one of the most inspirationational books ever. Audre Lorde's work will live forever through this work and I highly recommend it.