GO THE WAY YOUR BLOOD BEATS: An Anthology of Gay and Lesbian Literary Writings by African Americans

by Shawn Stewart--Ed. Ruff ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1996

A powerful, often grim gathering of fiction exploring with anger and vigor the struggles waged by those who are both black and homosexual to discover and preserve their identities. Ruff has produced a deft mix of familiar and less well-known voices: There are stories by James Baldwin (""The Outing"") and Richard Wright (""Man of all Work""), and an excerpt from Toni Morrison's novel Song of Solomon, but there's also strong fiction by Becky Birtha (""Ice Castle""), Max Gordon (""Babylon""), and Jacqueline Woodson (""What Has Been Done to Me""). Although the themes of desire frustrated or realized weave through all of the pieces (and are explicitly celebrated in several, including Carolivia Herron's soaring""Epithalamion""), only a few (such as Samuel R. Delany's ""The Place of Excrement"") deal with physical particulars. Most are more focused on the ways in which the intersection of race and desire casts a bright and unforgiving light on American society. A useful collection, featuring some promising younger writers.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1996

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 480

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1996

Categories: FICTION