Authors: Autumn Stephens
ISBN-13: 9781930722385, ISBN-10: 1930722389
Format: Paperback
Publisher: New World Library
Date Published: November 2004
Edition: New Edition
The title of this anthology riffs on Teddy Roosevelt's phallocentric motto, "Speak softly, and carry a big stick." Few American women today are interested in cultivating a Teddyesque machismo but in Roar Softly, women writers recount witty and poignant tales of modern-day survival, from finding love (and sex) as a single mom to overcoming anorexia to adopting a child. Not only do their stories offer reassurance that no woman is alone in her struggles, but they also suggest better battle strategies more womanly battle strategies, if you will for those who shrink from the "muscle your way through" approach. As each essay demonstrates, women can overcome the challenges of their lives not only with strength, but also with grace. Contributors include Anne Lamott, Edwidge Danticat, Mary Roach, Elizabeth Fishel, Laura Fraser, and Anneli Rufus.
Introduction | xi | |
1 | Connection | 1 |
Thirst | 3 | |
Without Me, I'm Nothing | 9 | |
(Learning How to) Get Laid | 19 | |
Writing for the Cure | 27 | |
One is Silver and the Other Gold | 35 | |
The Lioness Sleeps Tonight | 45 | |
Adventures in Cyber Snatching | 53 | |
It's a Doggie Dog World | 61 | |
2 | Attitude Adjustment | 63 |
My Buddies the Oysters | 65 | |
Foreign Correspondent | 71 | |
The Marvels of Middle Age | 81 | |
To Be (Too) Real: The Unexpected Consequences of Living an Authentic Life | 85 | |
Heroin/e | 93 | |
3 | Mind Over Matter | 107 |
The Sick Girl | 109 | |
Heroes of the House | 119 | |
Learning to Walk | 125 | |
Walking the Labyrinth with Mother In Memoriam: Min Kyung-Im March 26, 1936 - July 20, 2001 | 129 | |
Train Sounds | 139 | |
4 | Problem? What Problem? | 145 |
The Flight | 147 | |
Smells Like Perfume Inserts | 151 | |
Stepping off the Mommy Track | 155 | |
Just Say I Do | 159 | |
Naked Pictures | 165 | |
5 | Perseverance | 171 |
Border Control | 173 | |
Baby Baby Baby Please | 181 | |
The Cup Is Half-Empty; The Cup Is Half-Full | 185 | |
What to Save | 195 | |
Legends: The Daughter | 195 | |
Readers' Group Guide | 215 | |
Contributors | 217 | |
Acknowledgments | 225 | |
Copyright Notices | 227 |