Summary

This anthology of 38 autobiographical works by women with HIV/AIDS is edited by two women who are HIV positive. The introduction summarizes how the editors solicited writing or other expressions from HIV-positive women in order to publicly recognize the stories of women living with HIV/AIDS. Although most of the works are from Canada and the USA (including some from native populations), 12 other countries are also represented, including many African and European countries. Most of the pieces are prose, but poetry, art and photography are also included.

The pieces are very diverse and reflect multiple perspectives: activist, feminist, mother, teenager, drug addict, prostitute, lesbian, heterosexual, victim of abuse, etc. The stories are personal, introspective, direct and specific. Yet, throughout the anthology, universal themes of loneliness, isolation, hope, love and love lost recur.

Commentary

This book is a useful resource for humanities or AIDS-related courses, as it offers some rarely heard voices: women with AIDS. Some of the pieces are intimate and moving, others are sharp and critical. All offer unique glimpses into the lives of women living with HIV/AIDS.

Publisher

Second Story

Place Published

Toronto

Edition

1992

Editor

Andrea Rudd & Darien Taylor

Page Count

266