A collection of fifteen essays written between 1976 and 1984, gives clear voice to Audre Lorde's literary and philosophical personae. These essays ...
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Feb 06, 2008
Tim
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Now wait, you've not read this book? Really? Maybe you're just kidding. "I have come to work on you like a drug or a chisel" wrote the late Audre Lorde. Her passing created a hollow space in my soul that is now filled again each time I read her prose & poetry.
Just because 'Sister Outsider' is assigned in virtually every women's studies and gender studies 101 class does not mean it is some awful book about soggy, liberal bureaucratic multiculturalism. Far from it.
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Just because 'Sister Outsider' is assigned in virtually every women's studies and gender studies 101 class does not mean it is some awful book about soggy, liberal bureaucratic multiculturalism. Far from it.
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Mar 16, 2008
Rachel
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the bible just not doing it for ya? feel disappointed by the christian science monitor? maybe not getting the guidance you need from the koran or buddha... this shit is a new religion- all the spiritual guidance you'll ever need. well. it's fucking good and smart and amazing and no good feminist worth their (gender unspecific) salt would go without referencing lorde.
the uses of the erotic, some notes and master's tools are absolute requirements if you don't wanna do the whole More...
the uses of the erotic, some notes and master's tools are absolute requirements if you don't wanna do the whole More...
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Dec 16, 2009
Patience
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I first heard about Audre Lorde when I was in high school debate, and was first introduced to concepts of feminism, racism, and the interplay of powerful social forces. When I was younger, I really didn't understand her fundamental theory that you can't use the master's tools to dismantle the master's house. I understood what she was saying, but didn't really believe her, that is, until I became a teacher. Rereading this book now after so many years and a new take on life makes it ring truer to
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Dec 17, 2009
Omni
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I have so many favorite quotes from this collection. Audre Lorde's words are so powerful, I cannot imagine I have never read anything of hers before now.
"You fear your children will grow up to join the patriarchy and testify against you, we fear our children will be dragged from a car and shot down in the street and you will turn your backs on the reason they are dying."
"You fear your children will grow up to join the patriarchy and testify against you, we fear our children will be dragged from a car and shot down in the street and you will turn your backs on the reason they are dying."
Feb 09, 2008
Rachel
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I return to this series of essays again and again. The power and simplicity and searing intelligence that Audre Lorde brings to her fierce poetry is quieted here by introspection. Stark and lovely, these essays are guided by an emotional clarity, an ethical imperative and Lorde's intent comittment to personal truth.
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Dec 11, 2008
Bogdan
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Expect a wonderful woman, who was trained to think in emotional cues, struggling to write prose. From the effort, one may lean the intensity and responsibility needed towards words. Lorde's serious engagement with racism within women's understanding and sexism within black community makes her essays ...awesome. My favorite piece was her meditation on what does it mean to be black lesbian and think about your son living in patriarchy. The lightness of her touch is particularly beautiful in her de
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May 27, 2008
Mindy
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Yes, I really am in love with this woman. And reading all the other reviews about her as I enter this into my books just gets me all wound up for her again. I imagine this and Zami will be back on my currently-reading shelf soon!
Nov 21, 2010
Alexis
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I read and re-read and treasure this book. I hope to get to the point that my life lives up to the points illustrated in this book. An impossibly beautiful and evocative book.
A choice quote that sticks with me: "The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. It is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire. For having experienced the fullness of this depth of feeling More...
A choice quote that sticks with me: "The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. It is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire. For having experienced the fullness of this depth of feeling More...
Mar 20, 2010
Natalie
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Wow.
I was introduced to Lorde through her essay, included in Sister Outsider, called "Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power." It blew my mind, and compelled me to go buy this book.
The first couple of pieces in it didn't speak to me very strongly, so I let it sit, wastefully, on my nightstand, for months and months. And just a few days ago, I decided to pick it up again.
And wow.
This is incredible. She puts into words so many feelings I've More...
I was introduced to Lorde through her essay, included in Sister Outsider, called "Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power." It blew my mind, and compelled me to go buy this book.
The first couple of pieces in it didn't speak to me very strongly, so I let it sit, wastefully, on my nightstand, for months and months. And just a few days ago, I decided to pick it up again.
And wow.
This is incredible. She puts into words so many feelings I've More...
Aug 23, 2008
Audrey
rated it:
Interesting series of essays about race and sexuality, as well as some of Lorde's writings/speeches on poetry and discourse. And in general, I just like collections of shorter pieces because the timing works well for riding public transportation.
"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House" is cited all the damn time in undergraduate classes and is interesting in its discussions of language and semiotics, but I kind of expected it to be a longer essay. I thin More...
"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House" is cited all the damn time in undergraduate classes and is interesting in its discussions of language and semiotics, but I kind of expected it to be a longer essay. I thin More...
Aug 25, 2008
m.g.
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audre lorde is the movement grandmother. her work is both timeless and steeped in second-wave feminist ideas that have been replicated on many a bumper sticker and tshirt. it's unfortunate that her work can be such a major contribution to the canon of feminist thought and to not translate as well to this generation of students. when introduced to my intro to women's studies students, they all shriek and shrink away from lorde, and particularly her proclivity to identify the oppressor. women'
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Feb 05, 2012
Nora
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I am pretty sure Audre Lord is a genius, which I realized when I was reading the interview with Adrienne Rich in the middle of this book. I think the essays in the second half were particularly useful and important to me, especially "The Uses of Anger," "Man Child," "Eye to Eye," and "Grenada Revisited," the last of which I read soon after listening to a This American Life podcast about how the Reagan Presidential Library represents Grenada, which made a r
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Sep 27, 2009
Michelle
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The first time I encountered this book, it was assigned for a college class. I remember standing in line to pay for my books, reading this one, and thinking to myself "This is the truest thing I have ever read."
What I mean by that is that Audre Lorde uses words as they are meant to be used -- to tell the truth. It's heartbreaking to me that she is so often quoted out of context. if I had a magic wand, I would stop that practice immediately.
This planet lost a tru More...
What I mean by that is that Audre Lorde uses words as they are meant to be used -- to tell the truth. It's heartbreaking to me that she is so often quoted out of context. if I had a magic wand, I would stop that practice immediately.
This planet lost a tru More...
Jul 25, 2008
Sara Jaye
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I hate to admit that I'm giving this book five stars as much out of old time's sake as anything else. Some of Lorde's essays, including a few featured in this collection, were immensely influential in forming my feminism, and reading them is still a very powerful experience.
However, I have a sense of Lorde's limitations that I didn't when I first read her year's ago. I suspect that part of it is that what she was saying was so revolutionary, it actually affected change in feminist t More...
However, I have a sense of Lorde's limitations that I didn't when I first read her year's ago. I suspect that part of it is that what she was saying was so revolutionary, it actually affected change in feminist t More...
Jan 03, 2010
Jessica
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So sharp and good that I read through the first couple of essays straight away, leaning against a bookcase at Barnes and Noble. The standout was an essay about visiting communist russia. Also great:
--Lorde's interview by Adrienne Rich, where she talks about coming into language and her perceived difficulty using words as a child; thinking in poetry and then translating.
--Essay about raising a boy-child.
--Lorde's interview by Adrienne Rich, where she talks about coming into language and her perceived difficulty using words as a child; thinking in poetry and then translating.
--Essay about raising a boy-child.
Jul 30, 2011
Gahl
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Though the some of the allusions to the Goddess and dahoumey people seemed to suggest gender essentialization, and some of the incomplete sentences and intrusions of poetry in the essays were too syntactically confusing to be effective/affective, overall I found the book to be highly inspirational and Lorde's ideas to be as timeless and vibrant as they are utterly necessary. A definite must-read for anybody committed to social justice.
Aug 23, 2010
Kelly
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i really liked the travel writing [which I don't usually go for:] and the discussions regarding the intersection of identities, especially when she talks about raising her son and realizing he will grow up to be a man, and what that means for a black lesbian feminist to raise feminist male children.
Mar 13, 2008
Ginna
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Audre Lorde's essays are incredibly inspiring to me as a woman, a feminist, a human being. Not to be missed are "Poetry is Not A Luxury," "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master's House," "The Uses of the Erotic," and my favorite, "The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action." It's hard to believe that anyone this eloquent could have had a hard time beginning to speak, finding her voice.
"We can learn to work and spe More...
"We can learn to work and spe More...
Feb 12, 2009
Nessette
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I am using essay "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House" for a presentation in March but need to read most of the essays before then as prep work. I recommend essay her famous essay "Use of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power"
Jul 20, 2009
Amanda
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Grenada. Black women and hatred. Interview with a white feminist. Interconnection of the oppressions. Lesbians raising sons. And holy FFF Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power. Reading by Mary Mack. Blog by Renee from work. Sent to KF.
May 21, 2008
Lauren
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I read this for a book club I've joined around issues of race, and it certainly gave us plenty of fodder for discussion. As a book it's disjointed by nature, as it's really a collection of essays and speeches made my Lorde over her formidable career. They are no less effecting in this format, however - truly seminal works like The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House are included, and you get a sense that you're peering into moments in feminist and queer history that were tur
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Nov 20, 2011
Kathrina
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Her pieces are exceptionally power, inspiring and authentic! She speaks from a place of experience, survival and strenth. Her critical analysis of equality and social justice is real and honest. Always have been a fan of Audre Lorde.
May 10, 2011
Emily
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This book was amazing. At times I look at the world and it's inequities and it makes me feel as if I am losing my mind. How can you look at the hurt and pain caused by the imbalance of power, the squandering of vital resources, pride exercised by the complete put down of whole groups of people and not want to scream. At the very least do some one thing to help the starving person next to you. I sometimes feel that I live in a world where many suffer but many more walk around as if they were ane
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Jul 07, 2010
Malenekai
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This book changed my life. She took the words out of my mouth, out of my soul, words that had been trapped there, and in doing so, gave me voice. Lorde is/was a brilliant writer,thinker,woman, black, lesbian, warrior, poet. Ashe!
Jul 09, 2009
Wade
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Reading The Erotic as Power is like feeling blood fill up my veins and arteries and muscles. This book is life-giving and life-affirming even as it cautions, laments, and perturbs. This book rises to the level of Sacred Text.
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Aug 10, 2010
megan
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audre lorde's voice is wise and noble, a poet's authority. i love and appreciate that she so defiantly validates feeling and expression and erotic power as political strategies for feminism.
Mar 30, 2009
G.L.
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While some of this would be more powerful heard (as intended) than it is read, these are very valuable essays.
The famous quote "Your silence will not protect you" comes from here.
The famous quote "Your silence will not protect you" comes from here.
Oct 07, 2011
reading this for my feminist theory class on wednesday, just peeking inside and thinking how much i'll enjoy these essays, very accessible and yet the messages are deep and personal...
Aug 30, 2010
Korri
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This collection of Lorde's work is searing, profound, accessible, transformative and highly relevant. Her theory reads like poetry--or is it her poetry reads like theory? Her essay Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power encourages me to fully possess an inner strength that society often uses to shame me. The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House speaks across disciplines about the danger of thinking we can use patriarchal/racist/homophobic/etc frameworks on to deconstruct those
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Feb 25, 2010
Marly
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This book continues to guide the way I interpret relationships with women-specifically Black women. Also it has helped me understand and appreciate the complexities of the human identity.
