Gorilla, My Love is a set of 15 stories that were published in 1972. This collection is Toni Cade Bambara’s first book-length work of fiction. Many of the stories in the collection were published in literary magazines and other periodicals before appearing in the book. For instance, the story “Sweet Town” appeared in Vendome in 1959 under the title “Sweet Home.” Throughout her career, Bambara became known as a famous short story writer and published many of the stories that appear in Gorilla, My Love.
Most of the narrators in the 15 stories are children, specifically Black girls. They display a kind of resilience and spirit that Bambara is said to have admired. From the girl who feels...
