Name: A Burst of Light
Rating: 4.666666666666667 (6 reviews)
ISBN: 9780932379399

Audre Lorde

The author discusses her life as a Black lesbian, her struggle against cancer, sadomasochism within the gay community, and apartheid and its relationship to racism in American society

Essays

A Burst of Light

Cindy

I've always admired the sturdiness of Audre Lorde's words. Nearly fifty years later, the truth in her words holds up, even when she speaks of apartheid or 60s-era civil rights. There's an uncanniness to her insights that surpasses the trappings of time.

That said, A Burst of Light is a far more personal lens into Audre Lorde. It does not necessarily feel cohesive as a collection (the best part is the journal portion, which felt like the meat of the collection), but the content more than makes up for it. That said, all three essays are excellent and her journal entries are thoughtful meditations on living with cancer.

Moving, incisive, and enduringly relevant writings by the African-American poet and feminist include her thoughts on the radical implications of self-care and living with cancer as well as essays on racism, lesbian culture, and political activism.

A Burst of Light Essays

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Highlights