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jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review
3.0
This is an anthology of poetry, vignettes and flash fiction by new writers “from the heartland of multicultural suburbia.” They’re observational and thematically overlap, though the range of voices are distinct and takes the reader across a range of perspectives. For me the four entires by Tyree Barnette were absolute standouts - they tended to be some of the longer in the collection (though still only a few lines in length), but within a few sentences gave me such a strong sense of place and of a moment. Whether it be the “aroma” of an international flight, a response to police brutality on the news, the pulse of a New Orleans second line, or a prized bottle of vodka left in a Bangkok tuk tuk, Barnette’s pieces were really impactful and so deftly phrased.
I think I would have found an editors note or similar helpful to give context to the collection - that said, I did find Michael Mohammed Ahmad’s one word entry opening this collection (“hectic”) set the tone somewhat for what followed, so perhaps nothing more was needed really. I always look forward to seeing what Sweatshop publish next, and I think the power of this collection is definitely in its brevity.
I think I would have found an editors note or similar helpful to give context to the collection - that said, I did find Michael Mohammed Ahmad’s one word entry opening this collection (“hectic”) set the tone somewhat for what followed, so perhaps nothing more was needed really. I always look forward to seeing what Sweatshop publish next, and I think the power of this collection is definitely in its brevity.
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