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A writer's life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.
The Source of Self-Regard
A new nonfiction book by perhaps the most recognized and beloved writer of our time—a rich collection of her essays, lectures, and thoughts on society, culture, and art spanning four decades—is now available.
Toni Morrison's distinctive beauty of thought and style, literary talent, and moral compass are all on display in The Source of Self-Regard. It is structured into three sections: the first begins with a powerful prayer for the 9/11 victims, the second with a probing reflection on Martin Luther King Jr., and the third with a heartfelt eulogy for James Baldwin. Morrison tackles contentious societal topics in the writings and speeches included here, including the foreigner, female empowerment, the press, money, "black matter(s)," and human rights. She examines persistent cultural issues such as the artist's position in society, the literary imagination, the Afro-American presence in American literature, and the power of language itself in her Nobel talk. There's also biting criticism on her own work (including The Bluest Eye, Sula, Tar Baby, Jazz, Beloved, and Paradise) as well as the work of others, including Romare Bearden, Toni Cade Bambara, and Peter Sellars, among others. Overall, Toni Morrison's The Source of Self-Regard is a brilliant and vital contribution to her career.
A writer's life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.
