The Cancer Journals: Special Edition (Paperback)

by Audre Lorde (Author)

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

"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.

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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: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #163,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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)

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

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Courageous Memoir, November 9, 2006

By	Linda Benninghoff (Lloyd Harbor, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

Lorde's book will be of interest to those battling breast cancer and feminists, but also to anyone wanting to learn from a difficult experience. Lorde teaches us how to speak out against the injuustices done women, what it's like to survive in a hostile, male-chauvinist universe. Although the book is sad the wisdom it contains readily makes up for its difficcult content. Lorde's struggle is successful because she manages to rise above the difficulties caused by breast cancer--being one-breasted, for example--and overcome them. Her book is visionary.