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Kaili

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

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Verse Novel / Poetry / Fantasy / Romance
Pub. 1998 by Vintage

Reviewed by Kaili, 4/23/15

RedCarson’s Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse, first published in 1998, scooped me up during a poetry class at WMU several years ago. (If you are unfamiliar with the genre: a verse novel combines narrative, poetry, and drama. Similar to a lyrical essay, but fiction rather than non-fiction).

Works so heavy on mythology rarely pull me in, but I was (am!) absolutely taken with Autobiography of Red. It is the first of two verse novels following the character Geryon, a boy with red skin and wings, roughly based on the Greek myth of Geryon and Herakles (Hercules). I approached Red with little knowledge of the mythology, but Carson provides context in a short introduction.

Autobiography of Red, as I see it, is a bildungsroman and a romance for the underrepresented.  We travel with Geryon through layers of boyhood, abuse, shame, an obsessive love with the adventure-seeking Herakles, heartbreak, and photographs–covering, with emotional immediacy, an expanse of experiences rarely given reverent light of day. Geryon’s relationship with another man, for example, is written to stand for all human desire–homosexuality is presented within such an individual context (as opposed to a social context) that it becomes a neutral experience–an incredibly underrepresented reality. Red has marvelous rhythm, both in regard to the verse and to the structure and sequence of events. The silence between words is just as provocative as the words themselves, and the intellectual questions posed within Geryon’s story left me thinking.

If you appreciate a puzzle and consider ambiguity a force, rather than a frustration, I highly recommend Autobiography of Red. As for the “verse” part: critic Sam Anderson says, “‘Red’ has become known as one of the crossover classics of contemporary poetry: poetry that can seduce even people who don’t like poetry.” Carson’s familiar themes, albeit within uncommon context, won’t escape you.

Sequel: Red Doc> (2013).

You Are A Circle by Guillaume Wolf

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You Are A CircleReviewed by Kaili, 12/10/14

“This is not really a book,” You Are A Circle says on its very first page. “This is an invitation for you to find the courage to create (because it’s not always easy.)”

I discovered this “invitation” last year and I’ve been gifting it ever since. You Are A Circle is an earnest, honest meditation for the creative who appreciates simplicity, speculation, and attention to detail. Each vignette—on the left-side page—is paired with the textured image of a circle—on the right—, no two the same. These pairings range from funny (“Don’t worry, it’s okay to be weird”) to insightful (“When you open your heart and project your enthusiasm into life, you create a small opening for grace”) to important reminders (“It’s okay to think a lot, but you need to act a lot, too”). Not only do they invite the observer to challenge and be conscious of his/her creativity, they engage the visual sense to sometimes become the spark of creativity itself.

You Are A Circle encourages the creative mind to embrace both its disadvantage and its success, and to be aware, open, and ever-evolving.

This is an excellent book for someone who doesn’t normally like creative meditations, which run the risk of being overly instructional or lengthy. Ultimately, the book itself is a piece of art. Best of all, it doesn’t limit its message to one type of creative person. I found You Are A Circle in a collection of books about dance, yet I have returned to its meditations it as a writer, illustrator, and musician.

 

Big Pigs by Leslie Helakoski

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bigpigsWhen Mama Pig sends her three “little pigs” out to play, the competition begins—and so does the fun! With “humphs,” “bloops” and “slurps,” these three pigs must determine who is to be the Biggest Pig. Do they chow down on garden veggies? Do they make a muddy mess? And how will Mama feel about this rumpus? Delightfully illustrated and complete with colorful onomatopoeia, Big Pigs is a treat for your inner troublemaker. —Kaili

Leslie loves the farm animals. Her book Woolbur, about a sheep who dances to his own tune, has won several national awards. Her Big Chickens can be found in most elementary schools and now she has developed Big Pigs.

This is a great ‘out loud’ read as they Mush, Shush and Slurp, Slop their way through the farm only to come back to their mother. I’m sure these pigs will be back with more adventures.

If you like Denise Brennan-Nelson, Buzzy.

Signed copies at both stores as supplies last. —Gloria