Mouths of Rain: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought

by Briona Simone Jones (Editor), Sangodare Akinwale, M. Jacqui Alexander

A groundbreaking collection tracing the history of intellectual thought by Black Lesbian writers, in the tradition of The New Press’s perennial seller Words of Fire

African American lesbian writers and theorists have made extraordinary contributions to feminist theory, activism, and writing. Mouths of Rain, the companion anthology to Beverly Guy-Sheftall’s classic Words of Fire, traces the long history of intellectual thought produced by Black Lesbian writers, spanning the nineteenth century through the twenty-first century.

Using “Black Lesbian” as a capacious signifier, Mouths of Rain includes writing by Black women who have shared intimate and loving relationships with other women, as well as Black women who see bonding as mutual, Black women who have self-identified as lesbian, Black women who have written about Black Lesbians, and Black women who theorize about and see the word lesbian as a political descriptor that disrupts and critiques capitalism, heterosexism, and heteropatriarchy. Taking its title from a poem by Audre Lorde, Mouths of Rain addresses pervasive issues such as misogynoir and anti-blackness while also attending to love, romance, “coming out,” and the erotic.

Genres: Nonfiction, Queer, Poetry, LGBT, Lesbian, Feminism, Essays

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2021

Reviews

[Althea · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first page I knew I was going to adore this anthology, and yet it still managed to exceed my expectations! I'm not a huge nonfiction reader and in general it takes me quite some time to really get into anthologies, but Mouths of Rain was a whole different story and I loved my time reading it! Mouths of Rain features a plethora of fantastic Black lesbian writers, all with unique perspectives on various aspects of life and I loved the mix of nonfiction (reflective pieces and memoirs; essays; thought pieces), fiction (short stories) and poetry within. My only slight issue with the book was that a few of the essays had so much overly academic writing which made them less accessible and quite hard to read at times. This was exacerbated by the bad formatting in the eARC that I had, but of course I am not factoring the formatting into my review or rating and I have already preordered a physical copy so that I can transfer my highlights and annotations over and re-read it all over again! Highly recommend this anthology!

Thanks to Netgalley and The New Press for an eARC copy in return for an honest review!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. My only gripe is that the way this is organized feels a bit all over the place. The flow of it was a bit awkward but other than that I loved it. It’s super relatable and a lot of the essays had me in my feelings from how much I related to them. I liked a lot of the writing from the contributors in this and some of the poems were fantastic. This was a very good read and I need a physical copy because there was a lot that I would love to annotate and read again.

[Gabriella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh...I found this to be overly dramatic, and very woo-woo in a way I don't have the patience for. I have never read a book that was both boring and extra at the same time, but I'll give an extra star for that unique achievement!

ALSO: it's pretty surprising seeing how this was released in 2020, but outside of a few nods to Pauli Murray, there's very little fluidity about the types of lesbians they discuss (read: not just cis women.) It wasn't TERFy exactly, but just very absent of any useful thoughts about gender, I thought.

[Fleur Booth · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved bits of it (looking at you history of bulldagger) but did nothing to help the current reading slump

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

God this was so good, like talk about a masterclass in curation. Most of these pieces were new to me, and not even kidding I feel like they taught me so much about how to think and talk. I loved the inclusion of short stories, the essays were brilliant and spectacular, and I found myself having a whole new appreciation and love for the poetry included. 10s across the board man this was everything!

[zoë]

“So, what would my life have been like if I had not become a Gay womin?
I don’t exactly know, but I am sure glad I will never have to find out.”

Excerpt From
“Three for the price of One: Notes from a Gay, Black Feminist” by Anita Cornwell

a varied, potent, life affirming introduction to black lesbian feminism. loved almost every second of it (the chapter on the sacred fully lost me as admittedly, im not a crystals and vibes kind of girl—could not get the image of sinclair james going ‘woo, woo, woo’ out of my head). to me, the poetry and personal essays were riveting and revelatory whereas a significant amount of the academic works chosen were overwrought, overlong and a slog to get through.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this collection of stories and poems. It gave a broader sense of what it like being a black lesbian in modern day times. Black Lesbians still see some of the discrimination that is depicted in Mouths of Rain but one can only hope it continues to improve. I also enjoyed learning more about each author. Just a very solid read.

4 stars

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

[Zuleika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing anthology by Black lesbian women. Early pages reminded me of caribbean thunderstorms and the calm that comes with them. I felt myself reminiscing about growing up in a Caribbean island and a non-lgbtq friendly space. Def a must read for any ally and lgbtq person. So important to learn about our past and present.

[Ray’Von Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one made me feel SEEN as a Black queer woman who is navigating love, grief, SURVIVAL, and notions of the future. I loved the structure - a great mix of academic writing, poetry, and short stories. Such deep reflection that explores the diversity of Black lesbianism.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!!! (coming out Feb 23!!!)

**ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.**
#MouthsofRain #NetGalley

Pros:
+ an amazing gathering of lesbian, queer, feminist, and Black voices
+ intersectional non-fictional and fictional stories
+ so many new-to-me Black lesbian creators
+ read Audre Lorde for the first time (wow, I've been missing out!)
+ just a sheer deluge of IMPORTANT topics I hadn't previously been aware of but need to know (Universities refusing Black professors' health-based placement requests, the historical context of Black lesbian/queer phrases, Black lesbian/queer women throughout history, how Black lesbians are left out of movements DESPITE BEING INTEGRAL the entire time, how Afrofuturism reframes Black experiences, etc.)
+ a variety of content (academic essays, poetry, memoir, short stories, opinion pieces)
+ the inclusion of Black lesbians from all over the world (not just from the US)

Cons:
- to be completely honest, quite a few of the more complicated academic essays were hard to get through (elaborate syntax made it feel sloggy)

TW: homophobia, racism, misogyny, murder, assault

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I receive an ARC from Netgalley

I remember the first time I read Audre Lorde’s poem New Year ’s Day and the last stanza said ‘’ I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.’’ And this has always been my motto even before I knew she was a Lesbian so black lesbian feminist thought has been at the forefront of how I have lived my life.
In the introduction it says “This collection is an offering. In it I aspire to trace the long history between black women because I have come to recognize that our love stories have been buried beneath our activism’”... and I can’t think of a better way to put it
This is a stunning collection of Black lesbian feminist thought from various authors from all walks of life and different time periods. It gives an insight on how Black Lesbian feminists thought has been the backbone of various movements from the civil rights movements to the BLM, aside from that there is a softness to it in the reimagining of what love should be and especially for black women who are often undervalued in this society. There are essays, poems and short stories from both famous Black lesbian feminists and the less famous ones. This collection addressed identity politics, oppression, compulsory heterosexuality and most of all imagines a radical future, new and better ways to love from the point of view of Black lesbian thinkers. This anthology, I think, would be a good starting point for anyone who wants to find black feminist thought without the back breaking and time consuming research, I was very pleased with the biographies at the end which opens one up to find even more Black lesbian feminists
Thank you so much for the arc Netgalley

[The Lesbian Library (Maddy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very theory dense but reminded me of my sociology textbooks in college that I loved. Good flow groupings of both technical essays, poetry and personal stories. Introduced me to some of my new favorite writers :) not to mention Audre Lorde who is my absolute favorite author of all time. I highly recommend for everyone but especially if you’re a little more versed in queer theory as it can be very technical at times. Amazing read :)

[Brezaja · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topics from which each writer drew in their own musings was interesting to see; the breadth was nice. But at some points I did feel like it was a drag to read

[Kiki Tapiero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little more theoretical than I typically like, but it was very creative theory. One essay used "ratchet" as a theoretical framework that I thought was interesting (pg 226), and I also liked the investigation of masculine presentation when it invokes criminalization of Black men. Audre Lorde's analysis of the erotic also resonated. Some of the poems were a little abstract for me as well, but I did really like Kai Davis' "Aint I a Woman". I most enjoyed the stories of people discussing their lovers, especially Ann Allen Shockley, "The Meeting of the Sapphic Daughters," (pg 57) which looked at a Black lesbian couple, one surrounded by whiteness, the other intentionally surrounded by Black community, where they interact in a majority white lesbian event. As is typically the case, this anthology had some hit or miss essays, but I'd especially recommend this book for someone who's into queer theory.

[Molly Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouths of Rain: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought edited by Briona Simone Jones

This book was life affirming. It’s a compilation of essays, poems, prose, letters, and articles written by Black lesbians and queer folks. It spans decades - from Harlem Renaissance poet Angelina Weld Grimke to contemporary Black lesbian feminist scholar Alexis Pauline Gumbs. It encompasses pieces about the power of the erotic, spirituality, interlocking oppressions, coming and being out, and Black queer futures. There wasn’t a piece in this anthology that I didn’t love. Incredible. I need you all to read this.
5/5⭐️

[Selina⚔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite frankly, I am frustrated with myself that I opted to read queer compilations written by white men when this anthology is readily available !!!

I’m sorry to those authors but nothing compares to this compilation.

Breathing new life into the early black feminist works, essays, and studies, I think this should be a required reading to all interested about gender studies and intersectionality.

Will be re-reading this book for years to come!!!!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poetry, testimonials, and essays. Its centering and celebration of Black lesbians helped me find a lens to think about latine cuir identities and experiences. 10/10 recommend

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I read all year, an absolute MUST read. I will be shoving it into the hands of every queer friend I have a very long time.

[Sapphire Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for book club
DNF - read over half way through but never picked it up again. I enjoyed most of the parts I read and I especially liked the little fiction stories !

[Corvinus Maximilus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and breathtaking read- I’ve left with a long “to read” list of queer black women writers. You can’t really “finish” this anthology, it asks to be in continual reading studying and learning.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

lesbians read this!!!

[Isaiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.

I got an ARC of this book from the author.

I was stoked for this book. I needed it as soon as I read the title. I always see white lesbian writing, so getting Black lesbian writing was a need in my life.

The issue is, I just didn’t get this anthology. I know I am not the target audience, that is not the issue. My issue is it went from poetry to academic pieces to essays to short fiction to memoir. It was so all over the place that I was often lost to what I was reading and how to engage with it. I feel like this would have been better as a series of anthologies, each focusing on a genre or two so it really could dig into the genre and hit just the right audience.

The writing itself was pretty fantastic. There were essays I devoured. The memoirs always got me. It was often hard to tell what was memoir and what was short story though. There were some very clear short stories, but some could have been memoir. Not having this context was difficult. Kept me at arms length.

I knew there would poetry excepts at the very least based on the title and the name of some of the contributors. I figured I could skip those and be fine, or attempt them if they were short enough. The issue is there was so much poetry. SO MUCH. I felt like I ended up skipping half the book just so I could even pretend I understood what was happening.

So my main issue is the editing and compiling of materials. This is a clear example of why I don’t like anthologies. They are so scattered and make it hard to engage. The writing itself and the authors were great when I could engage. It just felt like this was not the best way to show case things.

[DearBookClub]

"If it were possible
to place you in my brain,
let you roam
around in and out
my thoughts waves--
you would never
have to ask why do you love me?

This morning as you slept,
I wanted to kiss you awake--
say "I love you" til your brain smiled and nodded
"yes" this woman does love me.

Each day the list grows--
filled with the things that are you
things that make my heart jump--
Yet, words would sound strange;
become corny in utterance."

"Sunshine," by Pat Parker

I am always seeing white lesbian publications and essays, so reading a Black lesbian anthology is exactly what I needed in my life right now. The book celebrates short stories and poems highlighting all aspects of the Black lesbian experience.

In the essay, "Three for the Price of One: Notes from a Gay, Black Feminist," Anita Cornwell explains her experience identifying as Gay. She delves into the misconception that people feel you have to fit into a box as a "femme" or a "stud," and the damaging effects of labeling a lesbian woman. Anita discusses her role of joining the 1950's Womyn's Movement and how Black women were excluded from the tight relationship many white women in the movement had. She states:

"Still, I do believe that most white people simply do not realize what a devastating effect racism has on Black people in general and on Black womyn in particular. And, obviously, the Black Lesbian is usually the most victimized of all. Perhaps one reason that white womyn do not realize just how crippling racism is, is the most black women seem so strong to them."

[jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book right now. I checked this out from the library and am confident that I am the first person to check it out since it’s a paperback in pristine condition. It’s extremely important that queer people and really anyone read this anthology of works by black lesbians. You will learn so much! Read widely and read books by people like you and unlike you. This anthology covers a wide variety of topics—race, gender, classism, sexuality, the past, the future—through a wide variety of written mediums—poetry, short stories, essays, plays. It has everything. Finding written work or representational work of any kind that encompasses specific intersectional identities is difficult. Luckily, Jones has done the hard work of compiling brilliant thoughts by black lesbians into this anthology. I now have a new book that I love and will definitely reread and annotate and a long list of black lesbian authors and their works to add to my reading list.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I want most of all for Black women and Black lesbians somehow not to be so alone." - Barbara Smith

This quote from "Mouths of Rain" I think encapsulates what Ms. Jones was trying to do with this collection. A grab bag of writing about Black lesbians, I feel like the editor tried to collect as much as she could in order to show the breadth and reality of Black lesbian experiences and make sure Black lesbians know they have been and will be around and important. Gathering and publishing these works is a wonderful and essential undertaking.

The main issue I found is that the collection seems to be organized only loosely, with general topics clustering works that are sorted by the author's first name alphabetically. This creates a disjointed flow, and I longed for more curation of the when and why of each piece without having to refer to the appendices.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouths of Rain is my first anthology I've received and read from NetGalley, and I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity. It took me awhile to get through because I like to read these collections one work at a time, but I enjoyed it so much and learned so much in the process. It's divided into five sections: Uses of the Erotic, Interlocking Oppressions and Identity, Coming Out and Stepping Into, The Sacred, and Radical Futurities. I will be buying my own copy of the book because I believe it's one book I could read again and again and learn something new every time. I cannot recommend this anthology enough, and I hope Briona Simone Jones gets the recognition she deserves for the work she put into this.

[Dhrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

As an anthology, I really did enjoy "Mouths of Rain" there was incredible diversity in thought, time period and works gathered to construct this anthology. I definitely think that this is something I would like to pick up as a hardcover and read all over again.

Where this anthology may lose readers because of the structure, in terms of how this work is compiled, I do think it is an incredibly valuable read and something I would recommend to anyone who is looking to read more Queer, specifically Black queer, non-fiction and doesn't know where to start.

Thank you to NetGalley and The New Press for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review..

[Lizramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this anthology! Not only was there beautiful and rich writing, but there was so much to learn- about organizing and the politics of Black, queer, female bodies. I especially enjoyed how cross-generational this work is. I think there is a way to love correctly and everyone who wants to know how, absolutely needs to read this. Black, queer women’s love is inherently a pursuit of love devoid of oppressive structures (which is what love should be in the first place). This anthology offers a toolkit for how we can all emulate this love within every aspect of our lives in a way that is intentionally defiant of heteropatriarchal and racist ideology. 10/10!

[Marisa Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

History, poetry, theory, and short stories are all wrapped up in this anthology. It made me feel like a university student again as I can appreciate the ways it challenged me to consider new ideas, theories, and criticisms. It serves as a call to action for me in a way, imploring me to embody a more Black, Queer, feminist framework. Mostly, this book grounded me in the history and stories of our Black queer and lesbian elders and writers. I liked this one!

[JoAnne Cattanach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouths of rain- loved so many of this. Alice Walker Can It Be?, Audre Lorde Woman, Anita Cornwell Three for the Price of One: Notes from a Gay, Black Feminist, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan Wolfpack, Kaila Story Not Feminine as in Straight, but Femme as in Queer #AF: The Queer & Black Roots of My Femme Expression/Experience, too many to list. Checked out of the library but going to buy for my private library.