Savoring the Salt: The Legacy of Toni Cade Bambara

by Linda Janet Holmes (Editor), Cheryl A. Wall

In Savoring the Salt , a host of poets, scholars, writers, political activists and filmmakers recall Toni Cade Bambara, a woman whose voice and vision played a vital role in shaping African American culture in the last quarter of the twentieth century.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's unfortunate that more people haven't discovered this book. I feel like I know so much more about much Ms. Bambara after having read the essays in this collection.
Viewing her through the eyes of those who knew her, loved her or were simply inspired by her, added another layer of depth to my appreciation of T.C. Bambara the writer, the teacher, the community activist and the intellect.

[Anacaona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have vowed to make TCB a "sen" on my shrine one day, have her canonized in the neo-Vodou pantheon. I clapped my hands with glee when I saw the first postings about this anthology and when I finally got my hands on it... I did like the title said, and savored it.

However, I came out a bit disappointed. I found the texts a bit repetitive - with a very similar analysis of TCBs literature coming up again and again.

I think what I was hoping for is for one more stories of how TCBs cultural and organizing work happened - which is why one of my favorite entries is Sonia Sanchez's recollection of their early days as college professors.

What I would also like to see (and this is the organizer speaking) is more concrete examples of movement building along the lines of what TCB was grasping at. Let me be specific: there's a quote in the book (pardon me if I muddle it, I don't have my copy on hand) where Toni Cade Bambara talks about getting the revolutionaries, organizers and agitators working with the seers, healers and spirit folk.

I'm not the only one who thinks this is important, or who's trying to do it in her little corner of the world - I hoped to hear from others in this anthology about that part her legacy.

[Tara Betts]

This is one of those books that makes me mourn a writer's absence. Many of the writers take a critical look at Bambara's short story collection "Gorilla, My Love", her novel "The Salt Eaters", and her posthumously published novel "These Bones Are Not My Child". In addition to this critical writing, there are some very touching stories of her radiance, her sense of adventure and involvement in the community-black, local and global.

[Greg]

Thankful.