Dark Eros: Black Erotic Writings [Hardcover]

Reginald Martin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1997

A compelling collection of African-American erotic literature includes poetry, fiction, and essay pieces by such authors as Ntozake Shange, Lenard D. Moore, Lurlynn Franklin, Liv Wright, and other notable writers. 30,000 first printing."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A kind of sequel to Erotique Noire, which Reginald Martin coedited, this is a collection of erotic fiction and poetry and essays about the erotic by black writers. While the book is definitely for adults only, there is nothing pornographic here. Some of the writing is romantic and some earthy, but what these poems and stories share is the goal of reclaiming and redefining black sexuality, which has so often been defined for blacks but less often by them. Much of the material printed here comes, by design, from "writers new to the public."

From Library Journal

Editor Martin, who coedited Erotique Noire (LJ 9/1/92), continues his study of erotica by African American writers with this compilation of short fiction and avant-garde poetry by largely unknown authors; most of the 70-odd pieces are published here for the first time. Although a few of the pieces portray sex in sensual or humorous tones, many treat it disturbingly to express rage at both relationships and the inner-city black experience. Martin's annotations and the afterword by poet Lenard D. Moore attempt to place the works in the context of modern African American urban literature and to offer an academic introduction to a genre that would otherwise have limited appeal. The result may be interesting, but many of the pieces lack polish or eroticism. Recommended for libraries with large African American collections.?Ellen Flexman, Indianapolis-Marion Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 397 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312155085
• ISBN-13: 978-0312155087
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,141,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brave, bold, and beautiful! Martin's finest., April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Eros: Black Erotic Writings (Paperback)

Dark Eros is a sweet and sensuous journey where you travel with Reginald Martin, unprotected. From the articulate and pointed preface, to the last selection, the reader is rewarded with a myriad of poems and prose that move from tender renderings to spontaneous and passionate pieces, full of rhythmic energy. The book is a consant "eargasm" to the reader who is moved by the joy of words. Readers beware! Martin is a trickster and these poems are encoded with layers of subtext. Approach these pieces as you would a favorite sensual pleasures of black feeling, black love, black passion.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Sensual and Soulful!, April 17, 1998

By 

Edward Saunders Jr. "hunnybeared" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Eros: Black Erotic Writings (Hardcover)

I love this effort! It is on par with the other tasty African-American book-Erotique Noire! Although I would say that EN is better-I still like it a lot! More-more-more-more! I have to keep my praise and enthisiasm simple when it comes to books like this one.It has helped me to understand that my thoughts, fantasies, dreams that happen to be erotic are natural and OK! It also really shows how Black Writing has come out of the closet and is viable, profitable, and necessary. Write on! (pun intended)-ed-

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Warm, September 6, 2001

By 

"rkfj" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Eros: Black Erotic Writings (Paperback)

I am not too crazy about this book. The stories were okay, the poetry well written, but it felt like an Erotique Noire : Black Erotica rip off. I understand this editor was involved in that particular book. Maybe he should hook up with those two again and write another book.