GORILLA, MY LOVE

Do not be fooled by this short book filled with short stories. Silly me for thinking this would be a quick read, because Toni Cade Bambara definitely took me to school. I can’t quite put my finger on why this collection was so challenging, but all I know is that each page commanded my attention. Bambara is brilliant at getting into her characters’ head, and commuting their thoughts onto the page. I was particularly enthralled by how she wrote from children’s perspectives. She really nailed down how kids can just think or say one thing so utterly brilliant about life without realizing it. They have an uncanny ability to see things how they are, adults tend to muddy interpretations with their own projections of how things should be. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes there is a need for more nuance but sometimes it is really just not that complicated. Definitely read this if you’re looking for a challenge in bite sized doses. I will definitely be checking out her other works, just when my brain is a bit more ready. Oh and shoutout to @dcastmusic for recommending this!!!

[ID: The short story collecting Gorilla, My Love by Tona Cade Bambara resting on some plants outside]

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