The Queen of Swords

by Judy Grahn

Reinterpretation of the Inana myth as a poetic play. A fine hardcover. Tight binding. Solid boards. Clean, unmarked pages. Fine jacket in removable; light spine fading. NOT ex-library. 178pgs. Shipped Under 1 kilogram. Poetry; 0807068020. ISBN/ 9780807068021. Inventory 015741.

Genres: Poetry

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[JHM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poetic retelling of "The Descent of Inanna" set in a dyke bar (Grahn's term). Inanna is a rich, priveleged, restless wife who goes out to seek something unnamed, who ends up on an underworld journey that transforms her. Ereshkigal is the bar's owner and tender, and the bar's patrons play a variety of supporting roles.

[Marjorie Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this retelling of Inanna's descent set in a lesbian bar was made for me. After writing and editing Tarot poetry for over two years, I still love the genre, and especially the Tarot reader in this text, Nin (Ninshubur). The theatrical elements of Queen of Swords remind me of acting in--and contributing a response poem to--a play written in verse by my college friend Angela. And I have made several important decisions, like attending grad school at Mills, in lesbian bars.