Description
Book SynopsisIn this engaging and moving book, E. Patrick Johnson combines magical realism, poetry, and performative writing to bear witness to the real-life stories of black southern queer women in ways that reveal the complexity of identity and the challenges these women face.
Trade Review“In this critically singular work E. Patrick Johnson excavates heretofore unexplored stories of contemporary southern black women whose narratives of loving other women subvert their erasure in queer histories of LGBTQ communities. Gesturing toward black storytelling traditions within which both myth and fact shape the story, Johnson values and gives value to black women’s understandings of themselves and the transformative power of self-initiated freedoms. I've never read an oral history as powerful as
Honeypot.” -- Alexis De Veaux, author of * Yabo *
“E. Patrick Johnson delivers again. We make a corner turn from his book of delicious tea leaves and find ourselves submerged in the long-legged pages of sweet woman truth. The stories are of southern women loving themselves and other women too. Here are memories and moments shaping a new tradition of resilience and rosewater.” -- Nikky Finney, author of * Head Off & Split *
“Like Virgil guiding Dante, cigarette-smoking Miss B., a trickster and shape-shifter, guides E. Patrick Johnson (Dr. EPJ) through the magical ‘beehive’ of ‘Hymen’ (indeed), where most of the action of this time-traveling oral epic unfolds. Miss B.—a cross between Pearl Bailey and Nipsey Russell—admonishes Dr. EPJ and the reader to ‘pull your shit tight or this is going to be a very long journey.’ There is so much telling in this book and so much pride.” -- Cheryl Clarke, author of * Living as a Lesbian *
“E. Patrick Johnson's
Honeypot simmers with delight and insight as black lesbian women share their stories of triumph and horror. Never before have I encountered space ruled by these voices, and never before have they been invited to bare it all unashamedly. It's about time!” -- Daniel Black, author of * Perfect Peace *
"At times devastating and always gripping, Honeypot is an innovative and educational glimpse into the lives of black Southern LGBTQ+ women." -- Eileen Gonzalez * Foreword Reviews *
“[T]his text moves at its own pace, forces the reader to follow rather than lead, and slows things down a bit.... Slowing down, reflecting, collecting stories, sharing those stories fresh from lips that are often sealed—by choice, habit, or oppression—is, perhaps, just the salve we need in this moment.” -- Jade C. Huell * Text and Performance Quarterly *
“Johnson leaves the women of his book to describe their intimate worlds without interruption or bringing attention to himself.... His work offers queer of color scholars a bridge for taking on projects that are as experimental as they are exploratory into Black queer practices across the diaspora.” -- Paul J. Edwards * The Black Scholar *
“This book . . . is both true and fantastic, wary and indulgent, self-conscious and daring. . . .
Honeypot delivers
more than it said it would, and it holds the capacity to reduce the threat felt by those who might fear women who love women.” -- Katrina Spencer * Resources for Gender and Women's Studies *
Table of ContentsForeword / Alexis Pauline Gumbs ix
Preface. You Catch More Bees with Honey Than with Vinegar xi
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction. The Adventures of Miss B. and Me 1
1. The Hive 5
2. Blessed Bee 55
3. Honeybee Blues 69
4. Honey Love 112
5. Beebop and Beeswax 132
6. All Hail the Queen (Bee) 153
Epilogue. Flight 220
Appendix. List of Honeybees 223
Notes 227
Index 229
