Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, 1965–2000

Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, 1965–2000

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  • Create Date:2022-04-14 02:21:34
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Alice Walker
  • ISBN:1476773157
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Summary

From National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Alice Walker and edited by critic and writer Valerie Boyd, comes an unprecedented compilation of Walker’s fifty years of journals drawing an intimate portrait of her development over five decades as an artist, human rights and women’s activist, and intellectual。

For the first time, the edited journals of Alice Walker are gathered together to reflect the complex, passionate, talented, and acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winner of The Color Purple。 She intimately explores her thoughts and feelings as a woman, a writer, an African-American, a wife, a daughter, a mother, a lover, a sister, a friend, a citizen of the world。

In an unvarnished and singular voice, she explores an astonishing array of events: marching in Mississippi with other foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement, led by Martin Luther King, Jr。; her marriage to a Jewish lawyer, defying laws that barred interracial marriage in the 1960s South; an early miscarriage; writing her first novel; the trials and triumphs of the Women’s Movement; erotic encounters and enduring relationships; the ancestral visits that led her to write The Color Purple; winning the Pulitzer Prize; being admired and maligned, sometimes in equal measure, for her work and her activism; and burying her mother。 A powerful blend of Walker’s personal life with political events, this revealing collection offers rare insight into a literary legend。

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Reviews

Rachel Sartoris

Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, 1965 - 2000⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️To have access into the intimate thoughts of a writer such as Alice Walker is a gift。 She takes us on a journey that covers everything from relationships whether they be friends, lovers, husbands, other writers, motherhood, activism, sexuality in many forms, her body and spirituality。 As the journals span 35 years, her views evolve in great detail on the page。 She lays herself bare for all to see, the good, the bad Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, 1965 - 2000⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️To have access into the intimate thoughts of a writer such as Alice Walker is a gift。 She takes us on a journey that covers everything from relationships whether they be friends, lovers, husbands, other writers, motherhood, activism, sexuality in many forms, her body and spirituality。 As the journals span 35 years, her views evolve in great detail on the page。 She lays herself bare for all to see, the good, the bad, the insecure。 She takes us on her travels。 Exposes us to world’s we may not have seen, injustices we may not have known。For those who only know Alice Walker for writing the Color Purple, they will be treated to plenty of insights into the development of the characters and storyline。 Walker is a woman of many layers, learning, growing, ever evolving。 It is the story of a life still being written。 I for one am grateful she is still alive and look forward to the second volume of Journals。Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Alice Walker for this ARC in exchanging for my honest review。@NetGalley @simonandschuster #NetGalley #GatheringBlossomsUnderFire #journal #memoir 。。。more

LiteraryMarie

What if you had the opportunity to read fifty (50) years worth of sixty-five (65) journals and notebooks from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author? Well you WILL in exactly one week! For the first time ever, the edited journals of Alice Walker are gathered like blossoms for your reading pleasure。 Journal entries from 1965-2000 reflect her complex, passionate, intimate details of her life as an award-winning author, artist, writer, human rights activist, women's advocate, friend, daughter, lover, wife What if you had the opportunity to read fifty (50) years worth of sixty-five (65) journals and notebooks from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author? Well you WILL in exactly one week! For the first time ever, the edited journals of Alice Walker are gathered like blossoms for your reading pleasure。 Journal entries from 1965-2000 reflect her complex, passionate, intimate details of her life as an award-winning author, artist, writer, human rights activist, women's advocate, friend, daughter, lover, wife, mother and citizen。An array of events are shared with such great detail as if they happened yesterday。 She explores how it felt to march in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement, her interracial marriage in the South, the trials and triumphs of being a Black woman, enduring relationships both erotic and toxic, her bond with only daughter, the making of The Color Purple and insight into each decade。Listen。。。I enjoyed Gathering Blossoms Under Fire more than any fiction she ever wrote。 Classics included! It is something about her open thoughts, vulnerable prose, nonjudgmental observations and perception of life that was addicting to read。 It kept me interested throughout and even prompted my own journal entries when it came to financial goals/savings。 (Yes, she even shared personal budget entries!)The format of Gathering Blossoms Under Fire is genius! Organized by decade, it is easy to follow and witness her personal growth。 Major social issues are addressed and her opinion is not minced。 It feels like a gift to read the diary of a literary legend。 I dare not spoil its contents so let me stop this review here。 Bookhearts, please know The Journals of Alice Walker is recommended to all Bookhearts that appreciate the work of Great Black American novelists。Happy Early Pub Day, Alice Walker! Gathering Blossoms Under Fire will be available Tuesday, April 12。~LiteraryMarie 。。。more

luxie ♡

Alice Walker’s journals are an awe-inspiring collection。 They range from her early twenties all the way into her fifties, and you get the chance to follow along her whole adult life, a rare written journey。 Starting in 1965 and ending in 2000 the world around her changes dramatically, but my favorite part was how her focus shifted inwards。In her younger years she was more concerned about world issues and politics, but as she ages she focuses much more on personal relationships, on what’s best fo Alice Walker’s journals are an awe-inspiring collection。 They range from her early twenties all the way into her fifties, and you get the chance to follow along her whole adult life, a rare written journey。 Starting in 1965 and ending in 2000 the world around her changes dramatically, but my favorite part was how her focus shifted inwards。In her younger years she was more concerned about world issues and politics, but as she ages she focuses much more on personal relationships, on what’s best for herself, and connecting with nature。 She learns lessons and thinks through situations through her writing, and another cool aspect was seeing her develop ideas for future published works。 I really enjoyed this journal and I believe anyone who wishes to be a successful writer would enjoy reading Alice Walker’s journals。Thank you to the publisher Simon and Schuster for providing an eARC of this book via NetGalley for review。 。。。more

Jessica Milliner

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for an exchange for a review。This book is about the journals of Alice Walker’s life。 She has gone through fighting for rights, relationships, and mostly writing。 The most thing about this story is her life through her writings, including her essays and her book “The Color Purple” in which is made into a movie。 I love reading books that are put into a journal format。

wordsandcyphers

I wanted to read this book to gain more insight into her relationship with Tracie Chapman and it didn't disappoint。 Alice Walker is an interesting person to me and I find her writing honest throughout Gathering Blossoms Under Fire。 We all know that artists can be flaky and sometimes self-absorbed。 I found Ms。 Walker to be no different。 However, partly due to her recognizing and growing from past mistakes or at the end of each relationships。 She did a lot of self-reflection gaining strength and a I wanted to read this book to gain more insight into her relationship with Tracie Chapman and it didn't disappoint。 Alice Walker is an interesting person to me and I find her writing honest throughout Gathering Blossoms Under Fire。 We all know that artists can be flaky and sometimes self-absorbed。 I found Ms。 Walker to be no different。 However, partly due to her recognizing and growing from past mistakes or at the end of each relationships。 She did a lot of self-reflection gaining strength and allowing one of the most amazing literary feminist voices to come through。With every encounter, Alice Walker blossomed with each step through the blaze and her journals are vibrant, open book written with so much soul。 We feel her struggles of living as an artist on the one hand, and following the expectations of publishers, family, friends, lovers, and child。 I loved learning about her insecurities, her willingness to forgive and ensure her friends well-being。 I enjoyed her conversations on body politics and how she viewed herself。 And, I enjoyed learning abut her activism。 I look forward to reading more of Alice Walker's backlist, as well as whatever she has coming out in the future。 I am a life-long fan!The is review is based on my own opinion。 Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this arc。 。。。more

Sarah Joyce Bryant

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from reading Alice Walker’s journal entries。 I think, sometimes, we have a utopian view of our literary loves and believe them to come out of the womb as glorious writers with no struggle with how to write, what to write, how to find time to write, and so on and so on。 Maybe it’s a reflection of what we hope for ourselves…the no struggle writing dreamworld。 Reading Alice Walker’s journals grounded me in the reality of a writer’s life, but also in a woman’s li I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from reading Alice Walker’s journal entries。 I think, sometimes, we have a utopian view of our literary loves and believe them to come out of the womb as glorious writers with no struggle with how to write, what to write, how to find time to write, and so on and so on。 Maybe it’s a reflection of what we hope for ourselves…the no struggle writing dreamworld。 Reading Alice Walker’s journals grounded me in the reality of a writer’s life, but also in a woman’s life, one who dares to defy convention as a woman of color, as a mother, as a wife, and as an artist。 Throughout the pages, I could feel the tension between what convention demanded of her and what her soul required in order for her to survive, not just as an artist, but as a living being in this physical world。 There is just so much within these pages that spoke to me, but most prominent was how Ms。 Walker continued to choose herself despite how difficult it was to do so; how shaped her life on her terms。 She did not say “I cannot do this” when coming up against a racist, sexist culture, but instead did what needed to be done。 She learned how to be financially secure one step at a time while bringing into the physical world the dreams she had for herself。 I appreciated the inclusion of the struggle with relationships, the exploration of sexuality on her own terms, and the difficulties that being financially wealthy can bring to a person。 Ms。 Walker pulled back the curtain, dispelled the facade, and said “here’s my human experience in all its messy, glorious ups and downs, curves and cliffs,” and I’m so glad that she did。 。。。more

Mary Angel

Alice Walker has long been in my top two list of favorite authors。 Her writing deeply resonates with me on a personal level。 I am grateful that she has allowed her journals to be published and devoured every word。 It was fascinating to be able to read her innermost thoughts especially during very turbulent timed in this country。 Many thanks to Simon & Shuster and NetGalley for the ARC。。

Michelle Kidwell

Gathering Blossoms Under FireThe Journals of Alice Walker, 1965–2000by Alice WalkerPub Date 12 Apr 2022 Simon & Schuster Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) I am reviewing a copy of Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, 1965-2000I was more than excited, when I was accepted as a reviewer through Netgalley And Simon and Schuster for Gathering Blossoms Under Fire, and I can say I was not disappointed, where I can’t say I agreed with every aspect of the journals, I ca Gathering Blossoms Under FireThe Journals of Alice Walker, 1965–2000by Alice WalkerPub Date 12 Apr 2022 Simon & Schuster Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) I am reviewing a copy of Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker, 1965-2000I was more than excited, when I was accepted as a reviewer through Netgalley And Simon and Schuster for Gathering Blossoms Under Fire, and I can say I was not disappointed, where I can’t say I agreed with every aspect of the journals, I can say I enjoyed the book immensely, and read it over a period of several days, drawn into the life o this remarkably talented woman, and writer。For the first time we get an intimate look into Alice Walker’s life from the period of 1965-2000 through her journals。 The critically claimed author of A Color Purple gives us an intimate look into her thoughts and feelings over different aspects of her life, her thoughts, and her feelings as a woman, a writer, an African American as well as a wife, a daughter, a mother, a lover, a sister, a friend, a citizen of the world。In a singular voice these journals allow us to get an understanding of her thoughts and feelings as she explores an astonishing array of events, she took part in from marching with the other foot soldiers of the a wife, a daughter, a mother, a lover, a sister, a friend, a citizen of the world。I give Gathering Blossoms Under Fire five out of five stars!Happy Reading! 。。。more

Amethyst

“The evil in the world continues to astound, but so does the courage of the human spirit to express itself at even higher levels of compassion & hope。 This keeps us going, though exhaustion is a constant companion。”Going into these journals, I had a narrow understanding of who Alice Walker is。 I’d known about her success with The Color Purple, her partial blindness due to a childhood accident, and her work to preserve Zora Neale Hurston’s legacy。 I now have a more intimate understanding of the p “The evil in the world continues to astound, but so does the courage of the human spirit to express itself at even higher levels of compassion & hope。 This keeps us going, though exhaustion is a constant companion。”Going into these journals, I had a narrow understanding of who Alice Walker is。 I’d known about her success with The Color Purple, her partial blindness due to a childhood accident, and her work to preserve Zora Neale Hurston’s legacy。 I now have a more intimate understanding of the prolific writer and womanist that she is。These journal entries are remarkable – 560 pages that span the 60s to the 2000s, capturing her thoughts on relationships and marriage, motherhood, career and finances, her body, friendships, activism, spirituality, and (bi)sexuality。 She reveals an incredible amount of detail about her life: Her insecurities, disappointments, how her views, body, and relationships evolved (including with her mother, ex-husband, and daughter)。 Walker wrote a great deal about the makings of The Color Purple, and fans of it may appreciate learning about development of the storyline and characters。 She also spent time exposing the cruelty of FGM after spending time in Africa for TCP。 She critiques other writers and notes their impact on her in life and death。 Was surprised to see her open up about her crush on Quincy Jones and (formerly private) relationship with Tracy Chapman。 Appreciate learning that “And of course, there will be a volume two。” and look forward to reading about her life over the last 20+ years。 Many thanks to Alice Walker, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an early copy in exchange for an honest review before its release on April 12, 2022。 。。。more

Shernell

I HAVE AN ARC! MY LIFE IS COMPLETE! Review coming in February!!!

Jean

I enjoyed this book because this a journal written with heart and soul。 Some authors write books “assuming” what a person was thinking at the time and why they acted in particular ways。 There is no guessing between the lines。 This journal is bold and heartfelt。Alice Walker reflects on everything and everyone in her life。 Much of what she writes reminds me of what I heard on the news more than 50 years ago and what the country went through during my teenage years。 1968 “…to me there are no white I enjoyed this book because this a journal written with heart and soul。 Some authors write books “assuming” what a person was thinking at the time and why they acted in particular ways。 There is no guessing between the lines。 This journal is bold and heartfelt。Alice Walker reflects on everything and everyone in her life。 Much of what she writes reminds me of what I heard on the news more than 50 years ago and what the country went through during my teenage years。 1968 “…to me there are no white people only white minds”。 I remember thinking things would change, and sadly they haven’t。 In the 70s she writes of emotions: sadness, joy, anger, and sexual feelings。 She expresses in words we can all understand in our coming of age; the ways we carry our early lives into our adult lives。During the 80s she writes of reconciliations, strong feelings for others in her life, and coping with struggles in relationships。 Her life is full of acquaintances and close relationships with writers and poets, singers, directors, and movie stars, politicians and world leaders; all names we recognize in history。 I find it interesting how much input she had in all the workings of ‘The Color Purple’。 She expressed the importance of who the actors were, the music used, and writing the screenplay。 At the same time she has many close family relationship issues to deal with。With her success come feelings of having too much。 She is also frustrated with reviews and her reactions to those。 She becomes tired of silly questions from journalists。 “She spoke as if black women writers only write about “the black situation” which, after all, is itself becoming more & more everybody’s。”In the 90s she falls in love with a singer feeling as though he has written songs which are addressed to her。 At this point I took a break reading the book and watched a documentary about the person she is writing about。 “Dream, Dec。 1990”“I could not bear to leave this dream out of the book! In fact, what will America look like when—if ever—it is united and happy?” Something to ponder even today in 2022。 In her journal she relays her strife growing up in the South, communal living with hippies, and her wealth from successes。 The book covers important life lessons, moments of creation, imagination, and savored moments with relatives, dear friends, and innermost relationships。 ‘Gathering Blossoms Under Fire’ should be on your to-read list for 2022。 。。。more

Kevin

“How incredible in some ways it is to thirst for pen and paper, to need them, as if they were water。”There is a point in the life arc of a prolific and talented author when the writer himself/herself becomes the story。 Mark Twain, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin come to mind。 Studies are made on their technique。 Courses are taught on their material。 Biographies (authorized and unauthorized) are written on their lives。 And, if the author kept such things, journals and diaries are published。 “P “How incredible in some ways it is to thirst for pen and paper, to need them, as if they were water。”There is a point in the life arc of a prolific and talented author when the writer himself/herself becomes the story。 Mark Twain, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin come to mind。 Studies are made on their technique。 Courses are taught on their material。 Biographies (authorized and unauthorized) are written on their lives。 And, if the author kept such things, journals and diaries are published。 “People have called me brave so often that I almost believe it - if fear is brave I am brave。”There is an intimacy in journals, if they’re written openly and honestly, that one does not find in biographies。 This is not Alice Walker recounting and reflecting on things that happened fifty years ago。 This is Alice Walker at that particular moment in time。 A snapshot, if you will, of a fascinating life in progress。The Alice Walker of the 1960s had convictions…“…the South will rise again—but as a nation of men and not a lot of finky little Confederate flagwavers who don’t know Sherman from Grant。”The Alice Walker of the 1970s had opinions…“…Ayn Rand will forever be incompatible with black people。”The Alice Walker of the 1980s had awareness (and a HUGE crush on Quincy Jones)…“I finally admitted to myself how hurt and frustrated I am by some of the more vicious reviews。 I find the unfairness particularly hard to bear。 Mostly white male critics who obviously don’t understand that my metaphysics includes them even though theirs has never included me。”The Alice Walker of the 1990s had insight…“Each time I vaguely think of turning on the white man’s voice—radio or t。v。—I think Nah。 What a joy to inhabit the world without its fake joviality, its treacherous (canned) laughter。 Its relentless effort to make violence normal。 Its hatred & fear of everyone & everything。 Its sugary poison。”This intimate glimpse into Alice Walker’s existence spans but thirty five years, 1965 - 2000。 Seeing as how this complex and vivacious spirt is happily still with us, ‘Alice Part Two’ is undoubtedly already in the works。 I, for one, can’t wait。 “…what will America look like when—if ever—it is united and happy!? I will not live to see that day, but the dream of it must be planted…” 。。。more

Diane Bateman

I liked how well this book was written 。 It has a lot of human right issues in this book 。

Laurel Whitney

I considered myself extremely lucky to win this book, which I received today。 I am looking forward to reading it and can't wait to finish。 Thank you so much!! I considered myself extremely lucky to win this book, which I received today。 I am looking forward to reading it and can't wait to finish。 Thank you so much!! 。。。more

Doris Raines

I LOVE THIS BOOK