46 pages • 1 hour read
The Cancer Journals
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
Super Short Summary
The Cancer Journals is a memoir by Audre Lorde, published in 1980, chronicling her experiences living with breast cancer and coping with her self-image following a mastectomy. The book, blending journal entries, speeches, and essays, calls on women, particularly breast cancer survivors, to explore the illness's meaning in their lives and challenges societal and medical approaches to cancer treatment and female identity. The book discusses the emotional and physical impact of breast cancer and mastectomies.
Emotional
Contemplative
Inspirational
Challenging
Dark
Reviews & Readership
4,833 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Audre Lorde's The Cancer Journals has received widespread acclaim for its raw, poignant, and insightful exploration of Lorde's breast cancer experience. Praise centers on its powerful prose and the intersection of personal and political narratives. Some critics note it occasionally feels overly introspective, but its emotional depth and candidness remain impactful.
Who Should Read The Cancer Journals?
Readers who would enjoy The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde are those who appreciate poignant memoirs addressing personal and political struggles. Fans of The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion or When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi will find similar depth in Lorde's exploration of illness, identity, and resilience.
4,833 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Frances
Frances
Lorde's partner, who provides steady and caring support through her battle with cancer. Frances is likened to a sunflower by Lorde and is recognized by healthcare workers as her partner.
Adrienne Rich
Adrienne Rich
A close friend and colleague of Lorde, she assists Lorde and Frances during their difficult time. Rich is also a renowned lesbian feminist poet.
Beth
Beth
Lorde's daughter who shows emotional distress upon learning about her mother's decision to have a mastectomy, highlighting her personal views on femininity and motherhood.
Eudora Garrett
Eudora Garrett
One of Lorde's former lovers, she underwent a mastectomy without reconstructive surgery, providing Lorde with her first intimate encounter with someone who has experienced such an operation.
Michelle Cliff
Michelle Cliff
A supportive friend and fellow writer who joins the circle of women aiding Lorde during her cancer ordeal. Cliff is known for her work addressing themes such as racism, colonialism, and homophobia.
Li’l Sister
Li’l Sister
The younger sister of Lorde's brother-in-law, who had previously undergone a mastectomy. Her conversation with Lorde highlights the significance of women connecting to share personal experiences.
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.