An extraordinary retrospective covering over thiry years of work, SHAKE LOOSE MY SKIN is a stunning testament to the literary, sensual, and political powers of the award-winning Sonia Sanchez.
Shake Loose My Skin: New and Selected Poems
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Mapping out an education that starts with a "Homecoming"?"I have been a/ way so long/ once after college/ I returned tourist/ style to watch all/ the niggers killing/ themselves"?and arrives at a "Love Poem" that asks, "where are the fathers/ strutting their furlined/ intellect bowing their/ faces in the crotch/ of academia," Sanchez avoids many of the poetic pitfalls that an explicit political agenda can entail. This gathering, including work from six previous collections, highlights Sanchez's range: prose poems investigate disenfranchised lives, from a lover strung out on dope to a hate-crime victim whose home has been spray-painted with the predictably horrifying epithets, while lyrics move down the page in sinewy lines that seem to pluck living speech from air. But it is love, or the lack therof, that is at the heart of the book. Sanchez's language is restless in seeking it out, shuttling back and forth from a gritty black vernacular in "Towhomitmayconcern" ("git yo/ self fattened up man/ you gon be doing battle with me/ ima gonna stake you out") to the jazzy nomenclature of "This Is not a Small Voice" ("This is the voice of La Tanya./ Kadesha. Shaniqua. This/ is the voice of Antoine./ Darryl. Shaquille.") Such polyvocal lyrics celebrate the breadth of black culture, and probe the silences of bigotry. Like June Jordan, Sanchez is at her best when enacting power struggles rather than merely rallying political support in easy battlecries, as some of these poems do. This collection should draw wide attention to the consistency of Sanchez's achievement, and to the success of her formal adaptations, like the recent "Blues Haikus": "am I yo philly/ outpost? man when you sail in/ to my house, you docked."
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Known as one of the leaders of the Black Arts movement, Sanchez, nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award for Does Your House Have Lions? (LJ 4/1/97), has indeed been called a "lion in literature's forest" by Maya Angelou. In the tapestry of American literature, her work represents the underlying influence of African American history and emerges as a bold example of an experimental and revolutionary poetic form. By imitating the language of everyday speech, Sanchez solidifies the sound of the black American voice and places it more firmly in our literary canon. This retrospective of 30 years of work leaves one in awe of the stretches of language Sanchez has helped to legitimize throughout her career, language that carries the struggles of poverty, abandonment, racism, and drugs and offers a place of refuge and a path to hope. This book is highly recommended for YA and general collections.?Ann K. van Buren, New York Univ.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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More About the Author
Sonia Sanchez--poet, activist, scholar--was the Laura Carnell Professor of English and Women's Studies at Temple University. She is the recipient of both the Robert Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime service to American poetry and the Langston Hughes Poetry Award. One of the most important writers of the Black Arts Movement, Sanchez is the author of sixteen books.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Books for Us
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Not many people know it, but Sonia Sanchez actually taught one of the first Black Studies courses in the nation. She was also a key participant in the Black Arts Movement's during the 1960s with Amiri Baraka and several others. Her career, spanning nearly four decades, is absolutely amazing and the gift that she has given to succeeding generations is invaluable. Sonia's words are like food for the soul. They are Spirit-full and resonant with the myriad voices and influences of our Ancestors. She speaks directly to the spiritual and cultural needs of the people, lifting as she climbs, beckoning us to become whole; to root out from the Earth such evils like racism, sexism, elitism, classism, and homophobia. One cannot read Sonia's words without being moved or touched deeply to the core. She inspires us to free ourselves from our victim mentality and, more importantly, she teaches us how to 'wake.' Every poem incites one to act; to love just a little bit better or deeper; to help to maintain this Earth. Sonia raises the consciousness of all of her readers and listeners. As poet, Maya Angelou, might note, she has truly helped to make the world a much more peaceful place to live in. I love ALL of Sonia's books of poetry and recommend her to anyone who is interested in reading more about this beautiful, humble Spirit, this legendary icon and living legend. :) Catch a piece of Sonia's "fire," step into your own Divine destiny, and finally be made whole.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you love words. The way they feel in your mouth and glide off of your tongue. If the sweet nectar of vocabulary leaves you feeling intoxicated and mello, then prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime. Step into the world of Sonya Sanchez as she teases you with the vernacular of a master poet, mother, woman, sister, professor, matriarch of the genre. Her work will leave you embracing your thoughts and lavishing in the afterglow of her words. A must read for every connoisseur of literature.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
SHAKE LOOSE MY SKIN is a collection of Sonia Sanchez's poetry, past and present. Starting with 1978's I Have Been a Woman to a collection of her new recent pieces, Ms. Sanchez draws us into her unique world, one carrying a genuine wisdom and heartfelt soul. Several standouts in this collection include "Malcolm," "I Have Walked A Long Time," and "For Sweet Honey in the Rock." Each piece carries its own specific theme, style, and format and poetry fans and newcomers will not be disappointed with the offerings that lie within this book.
Shake Loose My Skin is a literary diamond from Ms. Sanchez. Her passion and style shine through her work and readers will enjoy this collection. Ms. Sanchez is one poet that truly stands out with a unique style that lies within her literary soul
Reviewed by Kanika (Nika) Wade
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By K. Wilson
Format:Paperback
She paints pictures with the words and sounds in this book. I have always loved her work.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I love Sonia Sanchez's work...her poems are simple yet profound. I agree Mr. Achebe, her words truly do make you wish you'd thought of them yourself. She's an ispiration for aspiring poets and for those who just enjoy reading poetry.
By romantica
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was very happy with this purchase. I am a big fan of this author so having the collection of the selected poems was a given.............her hiaku makes my heart sing...........
By Ashley
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great book! This item was received in a timely manner and in brand new condition. Over all I was pleased with both the item and the eco-friendly way that it was packaged.
Format:Paperback
Shake Loose My Skin is a collection of poems spanning a thirty year period. Through these years came poems that touch on a wide variety of subjects. In "Just Don't Never Give Up on Love", Sonia allows an elderly woman to reminisce with her about her past loves, and although she has lost them both, her story is touching and even at her age she says to never give up. In "This Is a Small Voice", Sonia speaks of the children, and how important it is to nurture them, love them, and educate them. "After Saturday Night Comes Sunday" and "Wounded in the House of a Friend" speak of love so strong that even though the subject does things almost unimaginable for love, there are no regrets because of the love that is there. Other favorites of mine from this collection include "Towhomitmayconcern" and "A Love Poem Written for Sterling Brown."
While I am familiar with Sonia Sanchez, it was mostly from conversations concerning great poets. It was not until I had the opportunity to indulge in her writing, that I experienced firsthand just how great she is. This is a poet that expresses herself so well, that even when she writes about anger or pain, you have to dig deep beyond the surface to know that is the case. Although a few poems were much longer than I considered a poem should be, they were enjoyable nevertheless. Because I love poetry, I am searching to read more from Sonia. Even for those who are not so big on poetry, I think this would be the perfect place to start.
While I am familiar with Sonia Sanchez, it was mostly from conversations concerning great poets. It was not until I had the opportunity to indulge in her writing, that I experienced firsthand just how great she is. This is a poet that expresses herself so well, that even when she writes about anger or pain, you have to dig deep beyond the surface to know that is the case. Although a few poems were much longer than I considered a poem should be, they were enjoyable nevertheless. Because I love poetry, I am searching to read more from Sonia. Even for those who are not so big on poetry, I think this would be the perfect place to start.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Anthology
I have found at least seven poems that were included in the 2004 spoken-word record, "Full Moon Of Sonia", so it is great to buy both, check the "lyrics" of the album, and listen... Read more
Published on May 14, 2010 by Carmen Valdez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great gift
I bought this as a birthday gift for my mom, and she loved it! Sonja Sanchez is a wonderful, but underrated poet. I'd highly recommend this for yourself, or as a gift.
Published on December 15, 2009 by N. Potter
1.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely Boring and Destructive. A Work of Dumbing Down Style
This work is ponderously navel gazing displaying the vanity and meaninglessness of identity politics divorced from larger system analyses. Read more
Published on March 20, 2008 by Frank Snapp
1.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely sophomoric
Very dull....my 1st grader has more talent.
Published on March 30, 2002
2.0 out of 5 stars
couldn't get into this one
I'm sorry to say, that i didn't like this collection of poetry, i liked some of her other work's better.
Published on August 23, 2000 by bookladylover
