Sisterfire: Black Womanist Fiction and Poetry

Sherman's ( One Dark Body ) anthology of contemporary poetry and short stories written by and about African-American women is simply stated a page-turner. The more than 50 works divided into nine sections about motherhood, crack and violence, friendship, sex, love and more, poignantly express an experiential truth without resorting to the distasteful or shocking. In J. California Cooper's short story ``Vanity,'' the title character is a woman whose obsession with her looks lead her on a path of loneliness, drugs and self-destruction. Written as if recorded by a family friend, the piece gives an intimate, gossipy glimpse of a tragic life. An excerpt from Marita Golden's novel and do remember me takes a realistic but tender approach toward the subject of breast cancer: ``After a long talk with a friend who had chosen not to wear a prosthesis, Macon decided to wear one. It changed nothing. She remained a one-breasted woman living with cancer.'' Ultimately, a new love interest is able to convince Macon that the uncoupled breast makes no difference to him--and shouldn't to her. With the exception of Toni Morrison, most well-known African American women writers are represented, including Rita Dove, Ntozake Shange, Alice Walker, Sonia Sanchez, Maya Angelou, Gloria Naylor and Terry McMillan. The mixture of new authors and seasoned writers makes for a refreshing blend of style and substance. (Aug.)