ZamiZami
Score Classic
What it's about
Audre Lorde calls it a 'biomythography': the story of her life, from vivid childhood memories in Harlem to her coming of age in the 1950s, and the women who shaped her. Zami is a Carriacou word for women who work together as friends and lovers.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's a landmark of Black and lesbian literature.
You'll love it if you liked
Giovanni's Room
The Color Purple
Another CountryGood to know
It mixes memoir, history and myth. It's lyrical and very personal.
By the numbers
- Readers94 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller18 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
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Quick answers
Is Zami worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #743 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 76.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Zami about?
Audre Lorde calls it a 'biomythography': the story of her life, from vivid childhood memories in Harlem to her coming of age in the 1950s, and the women who shaped her. Zami is a Carriacou word for women who work together as friends and lovers.
How long does it take to read Zami?
About 7 hours (265 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Zami?
If you liked it, try Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin, The Color Purple by Alice Walker or Another Country by James Baldwin.