No More Masks: An Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Women Poets

Although this pioneering anthology of 20th-century American poetry by women was first published in 1973 to some hostile response, it came to be appreciated as a rich repository of poems by and for women concerned with their changing identities. Twenty years later, Howe's greatly enlarged and wholly updated version reflects the expansion of women's poetic expression, and affirms their insistence on broadening their roles as workers, activists, lovers, mothers, daughters, writers, and more. Not only are there more poets (104, not 87) in the revised edition, but the selection of new and rediscovered poets attests to an enlarged poetic culture that now includes women of color, Native Americans, lesbians and the working class. Themes critical to the 1973 version remain, especially the issue of how women writers survive in a still-patriarchal society, but the updated version showcases more women as social activists, as well as poets who war against traditional feminine roles. Distinctly new themes--some formerly taboo--glitter in poems that address male violence against women and the triad of rape, incest and wife-battering. Splendidly edited and Juno-esque in stature, this new literary ``daughter'' will be an invaluable anthology for teachers, feminists, scholars and other readers. Howe is director of the Feminist Press. (Aug.)