Caribbean Books

I found this guidebook to be quite useful during our recent trip to Bermuda. Tom Moore's Tavern was as excellent as you promised. Lonely Planet has a great index, and the maps were expecially helpful.

I'm a fan of Lonely Planet guides, as I like to get out and explore offbeat places on my own and meet the locals. Their Bermuda guide was a great planning tool to do so. Coupled with Insight's laminated [eraseable] map, it was all I needed for my 9-day trip. The Guide is set up by Bermuda's parishes, which is a bit cumbersome until you get a grasp of the island's geography. Even when you do, it's a bit difficult to figure out if the place you saw on the road by bus is in Warwick or Southampton or Somerset Parish. So the really map helped orient me before I hit the tarmac.

As my work keeps me indoors when at home, I like to spend as much time as possible physically engaged in the outdoors when I'm on vacation. The only portion of the guide which should be changed is the part about biking the Old Railway Trail. This "trail" ranges from grass with a tire rut, to dirt and rocks through the woods, to becoming synonymous with the main roads of the island, depending on whether it's been taken over by development. Very little of the trail is paved off of the main road, and there are places with steep grades with steps. Also, about every quarter to half mile on the real "trail," there are metal barriers over which you have to lift your bike, making a continuous pedal cumbersome. The scenery is great on many portions of Warwick and Somerset in particular, but I wouldn't plan on a cycling vacation for exercise or for primary transportation. Cycling the roads is precarious, as they are barely wide enough for two cars, and I never saw a straight segment of street on the island. Shrubbery juts out from stone walls at bike level in yards all over the island, making the situation even more difficult. I did about 40 miles of trail and road, and although I'm happy I did it, I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart.

Scooters look pretty dangerous, and accidents and fatalities are rampant, even amongst locals. I took a ride my last evening on the back of one, and the curvy roads are precarious even when seated behind an experienced local. I'm a big risk taker, but I respect limits of common sense. No rental cars are available on the island, but the bus and ferry service is good. So get a multiple day buss/ferry pass and enjoy the public transportation after perhaps one full day on a pedal bike. Rentals are steep at $25 a day published, but I got the shop to reduce it to $15 with some quibbling. My Huffy 18 speed mountain bike was sufficient, and you do need those speeds on the steep hills!

Do a lot of online research on the Bermuda sites listed in the Guide when planning your trip and email or phone ahead of time, as Bermudians tend to change printed schedules on a whim.

The guide should emphasize that cab fares are very, very expensive, with a minimum fare of about $5 for a very short ride to $20 or more to traverse from one hotel to another for dinner. Cabbies are independent and subscribe to a call service.

The other part the guide left out is that single women are pursued by Bermudans to no end. The first question I always seemed to get is "Where is your husband?" to confirm I was fresh meat on the island. It seems that American women traveling alone are curious commodities and perhaps seen as "easy" by local men.

The other part the guide leaves out is that the tourist industry is heavily supported by guest workers from Europe, Asia and Latin America, making communication sometimes problematic. All in all, a great source to give you planning tools, costs, and the inside scoop on the island.

I received this book the day after I had to postpone my planned ninth trip to Bermuda. Ouch! Even though I've been to Bermuda several times, my last trip was a few years ago. This book brought me up to date on what has changed (fortunately, not much) and new things to see and do. I like Lonely Planet's approach to guide books. They don't focus on just the fancy, popular "tourist trap" types of places but also include slightly off-beat attractions, restaurants, etc., that other guidebooks tend to ignore.

The major obstacle which hinders the performance of Lonely Planet and other guidebooks is that they often try and cover a very wide country or region, such as "Lonely Planet China" or "Lonely Planet USA", not to mention things like "Lonely Planet Africa on a shoestring". This often means that, in over 800 pages of a bulky book, only few are really relevant to what the reader is looking for. Indeed, the reader can be lost among lots of information, data, etc., which she or he has no interest in: if I find myself in Nairobi and am looking for a restaurant, do I really need to find myself browsing information about the visa procedures for Cameroon or the hotels of Sierra Leone ? Luckily, Bermuda is a much smaller place, and this has enabled the author and editors to truly produce a well-focused, condensed and overall excellent guidebook. The information for the visitor is complete and accurate, up-to-date, and indeed extremely useful (even in a place which does not present particular cultural or social obstacles for the average visitor): while Bermuda may still be possible to get to know on one's own, the aid of this little guidebook will be paramount. Its sections on hotels, restaurants, entertainment, are excellent. Coverage of things to see and do, sports and other activities, is down-to-the-point and very full. The sections on history and culture are also of great value, excellently written, easy-to-read in a captivating and pleasant prose, making this truly enjoyable and worthy reading for everyone. It is indeed a book one should surely pack before setting off to Bermuda.

I spent two weeks in Bermuda, and was very glad I brought this book along with me. I doubt very much that there are many interesting corners of the country that have been overlooked by the authors of this guide -- some of which I never would have thought to investigate had this book not alerted me to their existence. I especially appreciated all the historical and cultural details, and found that it was an invaluable tool in keeping costs down in a country where just about everything is VERY pricey. This book has since been re-used by other members of my family on their own trips to Bermuda, and has paid for itself several times over.

The photos are beautiful, the content is fascinating. I bought this book after visiting Bermuda and realize how much I missed. It's not really a travel book, more like a love story (with Bermuda).

Having travelled to Bermuda many times over the past twenty years (and I lived there for a time as well), I have to say this is the finest and most complete "coffee-table" book on the island that I have ever seen. It is large-format, filled with superb color photographs (including a lot of aerial shots as well as some archival photographs of Bermuda in the mid-20th century). The text gives you a concise, intelligent overview of Bermuda's history. I've given a number of copies to friends who love the island. The jacket blurb says the author was once a Peace Corps Volunteer, and it shows ... this is a real in-depth portrait, not just "post-cardy" superficial coverage. I have several other books on Bermuda, but this one is in a class by itself.

This elegant photography book provides a thoughtful and perceptive portrait of a genteel world all of its own. It makes one think that to escape modern life, the place to go is Bermuda. There is a wide variety among the hundred fifty or so photographs, from close-ups of people to scenic panoramas, all in rich, lush colors. The beach scenes and sunsets are breathtaking. A bonus is the extensive historical background presented in an easy to absorb reader-friendly style. Particularly interesting are the stories of how Bermuda found itself squeezed between England and the Thirteen Colonies during the Revolutionary War and between North and South in the American Civil War. The author reveals that there were no cars on Bermuda until the 1940s and describes the more recent transformation of the island into a corporate center, "the Switzerland of the Atlantic." The care and craftsmanship that went into the creation of this work is obvious. This is literally a "Bermudaful" book. And do not forget to catch the sweetheart on page 17!

Extraordinary photography, combined with intelligent, concise, even poetic text. I am English, but I have lived in Boston for many years. Bermuda is perhaps my favorite island--for its civility, its quiet beauty, a little touch of England in the middle of the Atlantic. This book captures Bermuda as I have seen no other book do ... perhaps because it focusses on the small things: the tiny flower known as Bermudiana, the young schoolgirl gazing deep into the camera ... The picture captions are concise, but packed with information; the author chooses and rations his words carefully! There's also, for those who want it, a complete text which conveys the history of the island. A small quibble: there's no information about hotels, restaurants, etc. However, this is not a guidebook, but rather a coffee-table "documentary" book, and in that department it is incomparable.

When I went to Bermuda for the first time recently, I wanted to leaarn more about this lovely island. Labrucherie's book provides exactly what I wanted - a readable and fairly comprehensive history of the island, as well as many beautiful pictures. Just perfect!

A beautifully designed and thoughtful book. The watercolors evoke the pink gentile Bermuda I visited as a child. This book is a must for any history and nautical buff who wants to learn of the origins of the island,as well as shipping and sailing lore.400 pages of comprehensive, thorough, detailed information about this corner of paradise on earth

A beautifully designed and thoughtful book. The watercolors evoke the pink gentile Bermuda I visited as a child. This book is a must for any history and nautical buff who wants to learn of the origins of the island,as well as shipping and sailing lore.400 pages of comprehensive, thorough, detailed information about this corner of paradise on earth

An atlas usually provides a singular function: helping you find somewhere on the globe. The "Bermuda Atlas and Gazetteer" is SO much more with its insightful examination of practically every street, path, hill, island, rock and all things named on the beautiful islands of Bermuda. Upon closer inspection, you realize that everything has a story, and Mr. Blagg has uncovered some tremendous history in this text. As a resident of Bermuda, I find it an invaluable aid in learning more about my home. If I were a visitor to these islands of paradise, I would find this book to be the most tasteful souvenir or gift. T-shirts just don't cut it.

(Well done, Dan. I'm proud of you.)

BERMUDA ATLAS AND GAZETTEER

Paradise lost, paradise found,
In pages that are bound.
A timeless treasure of pictures and words,
If you've never seen, nor heard
The Siren's song like those who've been.
You'll want to return again and again.

-----------------------------------------------------

1962

Thoughts of the past come back
To a place called "Cotton Patch",
It's not here in Tennessee,
But somewhere far across the sea.
A pale green house high on a hill,
I wonder if it sits there still,
Surrounded by banana trees
And childhood memories.
Salt spray on shutters in a storm,
A pony to ride in the neighbor's barn,
White steps on our roof to catch the rain,
I wonder if it's still the same.
Caves to hide in and rocks to climb,
Out all day, never mind the time,
Easter lilies grown to sell,
But we didn't have to pay for the smell,
Or the view--
Every day was something new.
Gnarled cedars on a sandy path--
I think I found it on a map
In the BERMUDA ATLAS AND GAZETTEER,
A book to ponder year after year,
To find the places I have seen,
Long ago and in my dreams.

Jane Barcroft Forgy
9/6/00

As a first-time visitor to Bermuda, I was looking for a comprehensive book to learn about the island's history and culture. I was struck by this sophisticated volume - it stood out among the others for its beautiful look and feel, more like a fine 19th century guide for the well-heeled traveler. I found the watercolors alluring and then, as I scouted Bermuda, I realized that the artist had painted with such sensitivity and grace that he captured the real beauty of his chosen sites. For instance, the magnificent painting of the cave in Tom Moore's Jungle is exactly as the mystical and enchanted grotto appears in real life. Yet the artist's style still adds something magical that photographs or other mediums could not match. The book is also a joy to read as well as behold. The author's writing style, while factual, is easy to read and the entries include interesting folklore and anecdotes about all the places of Bermuda. The book is at once a valuable reference volume, an atlas with sixteen fold-out maps, and a beautiful collection of exquisite watercolors. Although it is pricey, the Bermuda Atlas is well worth the money spent as the ultimate souvenir of the island.

I've recently embraced snorkeling, and one of my biggest frustrations is the number of books that combine snorkeling and diving... and then focus almost wholly on the diving. Since many of us cannot get PADI certified (for example, if we've ever had asthma), we're left with only snippets and leftovers of information. But that's NOT the case with "Best Dives' Snorkeling Adventures." This book does an excellent job of listing and rating snorkeling sites around the world (though mostly near the USA, Caribbean, and northern South America). It lists recommended dive shops in those areas, and even offers suggestions of where to stay. And best of all? It's for those of us who SNORKEL.

I hope that when they put out a 4th edition, Huber, Huber, & Sammartino include a page or so on Florida's Golden Coast (Fort Lauderdale, etc.) or, really, *any* other East Coast US snorkeling sites, assuming any exist (their main focus on the US itself includes the Florida Keys, Florida Springs, and Hawaii). Still, I'm now far better prepared to choose my next snorkeling vacation destination, so I'm rating this 5 stars.

I was surprised to find out that the title did not tell the truth. The writers did not include half the world. The indian ocean for example is missing.

This book is a must for anyone who enjoys water activities. It is a terrific book for beginners and also for those who are advanced in snorkeling.

I love this guide. My dive vacations are strickly to take underwater photos and being able to plan ahead makes my life so much easier. It gives me the airlines, the resorts with prices, when I can expect good weather. It's like having a personal travel planner. I would not plan a Caribbean dive trip without consulting this trustworthy book.

While most travel guides give vague descriptions about snorkeling or send me to places with nothing to see, Best Dives Snorkeling Adventures gives complete vacation planning details with maps and directions to terrific places in each destination to snorkel off the beach, sign up for a boat trip. IT COVERS all the best Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda snorkeling sites, the dive shops that will take you on boat tours and resorts that are especially dive-friendly. Great for families, novice and experienced divers.

As a genealogist, I have a particular interest in these types of publications. Guillermo Baralt has collected priceless information on Puerto Rican history.

I have a lot invested in this book as my mom's family comes from hacienda life and are from this area of the island. It helped me flesh out a better picture of my ancestral movements. For my mom and aunts, reading this book was like reading a diary. This was their life experience. Thanks so much for translating this. It can be enjoyed by any serious historian of the Caribbean.

Historically, factual, fascinating, a wealth of information culturally, and a must read (required) for all Puerto Ricans, Newyoricans, and ANYONE interested in the history of the founding fathers of the New World!...I found this book, while researching the archives online at the New York Historical Society's Library. But, it only showed the original, which was written in Spanish. The history and clarity of the subject matter contained in this book is long overdue, and covered the subject spectrum 100%!


After speaking with my brother, whose first visit to Puerto Rico (at a ripe old age of 49), included a visit to 'Plantation Buena Vista,' he told me about the rich history that he saw there, and that he was totally fascinated by it! I again, researched this book online at [...], and saw, that it was redone in English, so that, I could read it!

If I were asked to contribute anything to this book, I would just say, that I would have liked it to be broader to include more chapters! Perhaps, a sequel to this book can be written! Or, maybe even, it should be made into a TV Series...muchas, Alex Haley's TV miniseries, "ROOTS!"

The ongoing saga of the Buena Vista Plantation, rich cultural history of the Vives Family and Puerto Rico after the turn of the century, is equally, and, even more, compelling a story!

Thank you Amazon for providing this book, as it filled in the facts that not being able to read comprehensively in Spanish has cost!

I received this book on Saturday and finished it Sunday . An excellent, detailed account on life in a Puerto Rican Hacienda. Wonderful illustrations of people of the time and details of sophisticated equipment used in those time. A true picture of how life was then. My grandfather was a farmer and worked on a plantation so this gives light to some of the stories he told me about. An excellent books for anyone that wants to know about their roots and is especially interested in the Ponce area although this was probably typical of all plantations. A must read!!!

If your really into history Colonial days you should really put your hands on this one. It takes you on a drive full of feeling to that era. Im Italian and it made me recall my grandparents village in Palermo... I give Gullermo A. Baralt an A+

(From Planeta journal): This new English-language translation of an established Caribbean classic traces the history of the Buena Vista estate in the foothills of Puerto Rico's central mountain range. Now a living history museum, Buena Vista gained its initial success producing food for the town of Ponce, proving that raising crops for local consumption could be as profitable as sugar or coffee for export. The text spans almost a century -- a time in which slavery ended and technology expanded at a phenomenal rate. This is an exceptional book, one that any visitor to Puerto Rico should read before making an obligatory visit to the island's Living Museum of Art and Science.

The book is great, but I was very unhappy when I opened it and noticed there were no pictures. That may not be a problem for some cooks, but it's a problem for me. I'm just warning those who like to see picutres in a cookbook.

This book has some wonderful recipes. I was looking for a book that would give me a different recipe for Rice and Peas, but discovered other interesting recipes. I'm glad I bought the book.

When I received this book as a gift, I couldn't wait to read through it and start cooking. The author, John DeMers, does an excellent job of explaining the basics of Caribbean cooking including a list (with explanation) of herbs & spices, seafood, meat & poultry, fruit & vegetables most commonly found throughout the Islands. The recipes are clear, concise and can be followed by novice cooks and professional chefs alike. Definately a good buy!

It is a must have book. It is filled with many delightful entrees that you will enjoy.

The other day I went through my cookbooks, to see if I could weed some out, because I have too many to mention. It's hard getting rid of a cookbook, especially one with a few recipes in it that you've come to love. But I've scanned the recipes I need to keep forever into my MacBook. However, there were an even dozen I couldn't part with. These are books I turn to time and time again, even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet chef.

CARIBBEAN COOKING is one of the books I kept as it's chucky jammed full of wonderful recipes. I really like the "Roast Veal with Black Sauce" on page 12, though I must confess, I could never eat veal, so I sub a regular roast and the result is delicious, really.

Everybody's heard of jerk chicken, but how many of you out there have ever had jerk pork. Get this book, try the jerk pork recipe, you'll be amazed. But for me the piece de resistance in this book is the "Snapper Santiago". It is simply to die for. This is one cookbook that will bring mouthwatering joy to many a meal.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

the first time i recieved this book it took me about 2 weeks to read it all the way through and i would have to say this is a great book for people are seeking more knowledge about all aspects of what rastafarI is from its origan till its current standings it covers the tip of all subjects that flows on through rastafarian teachings and wisdom comming from someone who knew not much about rastafaI before reading this book i give it a 10 because it gives you info on lots of subjects discussed on rastafarI but leaves much for your mind to want to continue to search out more for yourself

This is the best book I've read on the subject. It is complete and gives the views of various scholars both Rasta and non-Rasta. I keep it as a resource and have read it 3 times.

A very large wealth of information on the rastafarian movement. A very scholarly anthology. Read it three times over and learn more each time! Will use for years.

Chanting Down Babylon is a welcomed addition to the growing literature on Rastafari. This reader sucessfully brings together most of the scholars studying Rastafari, as well as Rastafarians themselves, providing an important insight into Rastafari. The inclusion of articles addressing biblical hermeneutics as well as Rastafari theology begins to fill an important gap in Rastafari scholarship. A real treasure for those interested in learning about Rastafari for the first time, and for those who wish to expand their knowledge of this important religious movement.

I found this work to be one of the most complete on the study of the the Rastafarian movement.The information is well presented and is cohesive and highly informaive. This work is ideal for the new convert or anyone who wants a thorough examination of the faith. I highly recommend it.

As a Bajan gal, Cheryl Gittens-Jones took me back to my childhood, a childhood not to be forgotten. Old Henry, Cadbury Chocolate and Enid Blyton. The Cleansing showed a part of Barbados that you had to experience for yourself. Experiencing pain but still enjoying the pleasures of a small island. Unis came to Brooklyn still searching but the big city brought more pain. The characters came to life and I know that Nita is very proud of Unis because through it all, she made it to Brooklyn and back.

Cheryl Gittens-Jones captures the essence of colonialism and all of its insidious effects in her first novel. The Cleansing is an important read for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the effects of international hegemony on the family; the metaphoric microcosm. Gittens-Jones reveals the truth that is rarely told, as seen through the eyes of a deeply perceptive Unis MonteClaire. I was fortunate enough to have attended a reading in which Gittens-Jones brought her chapter heading poems to life in the lyrical and emotional Bajan dialect. I highly recommend The Cleansing, or anything else written by this young, passionate writer who writes from the soul.

This book is a must read!!! The author gave first reading at Odyssey bookstore, South Hadley on May 03, 2003. The poems in THE CLEANSING
were performed by the author and I was blown away!!! Impressive and awe inspiring work. This new Caribbean Woman Writer is going places. I highly recommend this work. It is profound. THE CLEANSING will give major insight about the system of colonialism and how it can have a negative impact generation after generation if not acknowledged.

Cheryl Gittens-Jones first Novel "The Cleansing" is a dynamic and vital addition to the carribean woman's writing genre. Her examination of the legacies of racisms, sexism, and colonialism on the Barbadian family is a must read!

This book is a must read. It's takes you through several generations of women and their life experiences. It also gives you a glimpse of Bajan culture outside of the tourist venue. I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone. It was inspiring to see how someone can rise above their life's circumstances no matter where they begin.

...i firmly believe he has reperesented the caribbean in a way no- one has ever done before. Derek Walcott's diction and his superb metaphors are yet to be seen in any other caribbean poet. Yet, like the jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley, Walcott has used his art in such a way that the whole world can identify with his work. His development of major themes such as alienation and cultural identity, Caribbean history , society and development and the pOst colonial era truly represents the region in a realistic way. His poems are truly inspirational and representative of the Caribbean. Walcott's poems are a reseviour for any historian who wishes to know about the history of the Caribbean. One shoud note that Walcott has not only used the english language in his poems but he has created the rhyme and rhythm in such a way to achieve a Caribbean creole(See "Parades Parades"), thus firmly establishing his identity as a caribbean poet and writer.IN CONCLUSION, Walcott is a true genius and we in the caribbean are proud of him.

One cannot recommend this book too highly. It is a certain classic for scores of generations to come. Derek Walcott IS the Carribean. His poems enrich the reader's sense of the Carribean without ever over-sentimentalizing. Walcott's keen observations heighten the familiar, while at times domesticating the exotic. His poem "The Spoiler's Return" is equally humorous and disturbing, as it adresses the social problems of the Carribean, and is best appreciated when read with a Carribean accent. His lines ebb and flow like a tide, but always draw you in and never disappoint. Must read poems of his: "Codicil", "The Spoiler's Return", "LI" (from the Midsummer collection), "The Schooner Flight", "The Fortunate Traveller". If you buy one collection of English poetry published after WWII, this should be the book you purchase. No one alive can make the English language work as powerfully and brilliantly for him/her as Derek Walcott can.

This cool dude uses language in a way no one else does. He redefines syntax, conventions, the way words are placed together, and forms a new interpretation of phrase-synthesis I can't even begin to describe. Actually, I will. There's lots of surrealism here, but not just for its own sake. There's deep philosophy here too. The sombering tones give the incredulous imagery and abstractionistic logic (this guy's a hard read, as it says in the preface) and language that makes him something like a Sylvia Plath in tuxedo, but with a much wider-spanning genius that gives his poetry a greater variety of elements and vocabulary, and with better breaks and sense of poetic rhythm.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Walcott is the greatest living poet writing in English, on account of the richness and originality of his language, the accuracy of his natural and social observations, and the diversity and ambition of his subject matter. Walcott works with traditional meter in rhyme in both a strict sense and a looser and more ground-breaking sense, and he also has a formidable command of free verse techniques.

Derek Walcott's "Collected Poems 1948-1984", is a work of literary genius. It is a classic that echoes the works of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, and other great poets of the past. Walcott not only echoes their styles, he has embraced them and made them his own; adding his own strong island flavour. So what you get is a very refreshing read full of images and sounds that bombard the senses; carrying you away to another world. This book is a road into the poet's heart which echoes the loves, passions and sorrows of all humanity

Mexican-born poet Gabriela Jauregui presents Controlled Decay, her debut poetry collection. The works range in setting from Jauregui's native Mexico City to a dance hall in East Los Angeles to a steam bath in Morocco to the quietude of the grave. Blending elements of narrative, thought processes, and open rhythm, Controlled Decay taps into the immense power of human consciousness and the eternal story that is the endless circle of life. "For Nietzsche": Between truth and fiction / a soap washes/clears ambiguity / dispels/destroys ambivalence / a vegetable soap / that leaves no trace / clean / like a button / ripped from an overcoat / on a winter morning.

I have to admit, I don't usually read a lot of poetry, but a couple of weeks ago I was at the LA Times Festival of Books and I saw Jauregui's book in the Akashic Books tent. The cover was breathtaking and it seemed to me everyone who walked by was buying a copy, so I grabbed one before they were all gone. I am so glad I did. Every poem in this book is its own wonderful story - some are pretty, some are grotesque, all are entertaining. You have to read them slowly, one at a time, and then savor the aftertaste the way you might enjoy an expensive chocolate or a great cut of beef. This poetry gets inside you. It infiltrates past the point where so many other writers find themselves unable to penetrate. It goes beyond your resistance - so to reject it's grotesqueness or its dance rhythms or its life experience would entail rejecting your own, and instead, because she makes it so clear in her telling that this is a celebration, we embrace rather than reject - and that's where the triumph comes--both for Jauregui and for her reader. It doesn't matter if you don't like poetry - if you want to experience life through the careful and passionate perspective of someone who might just have seen something you missed, if you have any sort of appreciation for language, if you want to read something meaningful - this book is for you.

There is something for everyone in this fierce first book of poetry by Gabriela Jauregui. Terrance Hayes states it nicely in the introduction, when he writes: "Mirroring the mouths with spit, kiss, eat, and swallow in these pages, Controlled Decay is fierce and sensual, consuming and consumed. These poems are full of vitality. This is vital poetry." I can't recommend this book enough, especially for those who are politically-minded, globally-oriented, into genre-bending, and have a strong affinity for the grotesque. I for one can't wait to see what this writer does next!

This is a dazzling debut by a writer whose imagery and command of language puts her easily in the company of some of the best poetry being written today. Jauregui is a writer who knows how to work with the blank space of the page--she knows when to rush words together, creating a crush of language that presses against you ("Get On Down to the Floor to the Heaven of Other Animals"), and she knows when to pull back, to allow the silence of the white space inform a single image or a whispered line (like the "Loku" poems, which read almost like haiku). Alongside this is Jauregui's willingness to question what it means to be human and to have a body--the sections are named "Dust," "Bone," "Fat," "Enamel," and "Nail." No "Heart" or "Brain" here; this is writing which goes for the substance of the body itself. In this her writing shares affinities with Jeanette Winterson, W. G. Sebald, Toni Morrison, and others who have rescued meaning from detritus, and given us new ways to think about how we move in the world around us. The perspective of animals inhabits the same space as that of humanity, in ways which allow Jauregui to examine where the line between us and other creatures exists (if it exists at all). All this without losing a light touch and an energetic style. I've been reading this book nonstop for the past week....

Black Goat Books sounds like a promising imprint for the always questing Akashic Press, and it is always good to see a small press make a determined attempt to create new audiences for poetry. During a recent visit to Los Angeles, I picked up a copy of Gabriela Jauregui's CONTROLLED DECAY and ever since that moment when the book fell into my hands, I have been exclaiming to everyone within the sound of my voice my delight in discovering this accomplished and talented young writer, whose work explodes in a bevy of disparate directions.

I wasn't crazy about Terrance Hayes' introduction, but introductions to books of poetry are always going to rub a certain kind of reader the wrong way, limiting our response to a certain set of already constrictions, square holes for round pegs. In this case, Hayes's thesis states that that Jauregui's poems "gaze upon us, our surfaces," instead of the way the surfaces of others' poems are gazed on by the reader. Some poems are brick walls, some are mirrors, and Juaregui's are in Hayes' third category--they are eyeballs observing the reader. I find this formulation exactly wrong; that is exactly what these poems are not. I can't even think what gazing would mean in this metaphor, but it would imply a sort of android life for poems, for how else would they actually be able to perform this "gazing" on the mere humans who created them. Oh well, in other ways Hayes' generous response to this work is soundly argued, and he has the gift for pulling precisely the right quotes from the work that will best make his point. I defy anyone to begin Jauregui's book and feel unmoved, the long ecstatic lines of the opening piece work like a pair of hands pulling you onto the dancefloor, into an irresistible beat. In this space "the dust that I am can be banished for some time, the power of voice of eyelashes and mirror smile will clean it off the dance floor if only for a moment." Why, this is like me under the influence of heavy doses of Kylie Minogue, only expressed more beautifully and persuasively than I can hope to do. Elsewhere the poetry manages to work on more minimal, nearly Objectivist levels of precise imagery, even when its ostensible subject is distortion, enshroudment, or the high crimes of history, such as in the agonistic "Bou Arfa," with its short and enervated line, its multiple languages, its nomadic and deracinated vocalizations like the blues of a lifetime.

Helpful notes explain that "Bou Arfa" (in Morocco) was the site of a Nazi-Fascist penal camp for captured resistance fighters during the days of the Spanish Civil War, so the misery was international, multi-vocal, and the wrong done never-ending.

Gabriela Juaregui divides her book into five sections, each specifying a particular organic entity, which the verse re-poses as different prisms through which life may be experienced: first comes the "Dust" of history and of biology (vide Philip Pullman); then the "Bone" of negation and of shape ("I'm freezing/ and without appetite")' in the middle a Beuysian "Fat" acts as a slave of recuperation and rescue. Two final sections, "Enamel" and "Nail" flip back and forth, as does the book in macrocosm, between twin poles of bodily delight (what Terrance Hayes calls "the carnal") and the excruciations of global conditioning. It is a daring arrangement which, for the most part, pays off the risks Jauregui allows herself.

Physically the size and the design of the book leave the work open in one's hands, as if during prayer, while the extraordinarily explosive cover (by AAVF) trades on the manuscript's heady, almost psychedelic energies. Maybe the book is too long in a certain way, fatiguing, but it's the trend now to have 120 page books of poetry, where once a collection would have a modest 64, 72 pages, and maybe the generosity of having so much work here all at once would best be met by each reader finding his own, or her own, top 80 pages and just going with them, so that we would each have our own ideal "Selected Gabriela Juaregui." There isn't any particular strain in her poetry that I would willingly let go of. Good thing I don't have to. My hope is that CONTROLLED DECAY will be widely circulated, and in reaction, a convulsion of pleasure will sweep our hemisphere from its scalp to its sandals . . . We'll see . . .