caracabe's reviews
94 reviews

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

dark emotional

4.5

I used to live near a fancy restaurant that served elk steak. I never tried it, but if I ever again see elk on a menu, no matter how many years from now, I’ll remember this book. The story is also memorable for its original use of points of view, and its peek into the psychology of a non-human intelligence. As usual with stories  by Stephen Graham Jones, this a deeply emotional journey.

Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper

4.0

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

4.5

The Journal of Albion Moonlight by Kenneth Patchen

2.0

Patchen wrote experimental  literature and this  is a failed experiment, nowhere near the brilliance of Patchen’s Sleepers Awake.

Proof of Existence: Poems by Phyllis Becker

5.0

Disclosure: Phyllis Becker and I have been friends for many years.

This is a wonderful collection of poems, with subjects ranging from family history (and its larger context) to personal history (and its larger context). Phyllis nicely balances wry humor with sorrow, indignation, and gratitude. Her use of language is familiar without being dull and lyrical without being bombastic.

Bright Dead Things: Poems by Ada Limón

4.0

This is a book I will read again. Limón’s poetry reminds me of Blake, but more personal and intimate. And stylistically quite distinct. But the vision is, I think, similar. “The Problem with Travel” alone is worth the cover price.

Choking Back the Devil by Donna Lynch

dark medium-paced

4.0

Supernatural horror and everyday horror, psychological horror and body horror, horrors suffered and horrors committed, all effectively depicted. The range here is impressive.

Catching the Light by Joy Harjo

4.5

I Am a Beautiful Monster: Poetry, Prose and Provocation by

3.0

Go Gator and Muddy the Water by Zora Neale Hurston

3.0

Seems voluminously padded with biography, introductions, and notes. But some good writing by Hurston is included.