ISBN: 9781556594861
Subject: Poetry
I'll admit, this wasn't my favorite to read as far as poetry goes. Jericho Brown writes about very serious things, such as slavery, shootings, rape, and abuse. However, he really puts himself into his poetry and has a great mind for knowing just how to frame his subjects for layered meanings. Even the title of his book reflects the poetry within, as they combine traditional forms of poetry with non-traditional surprises. Brown actually invented his own form, which he calls a duplex. This form combines other forms of poetry (including the sonnet, the blues, and the ghazal) to reflect who he is and better express his thoughts. The name "duplex" represents duality in his new form, and Brown lives up to it. Although I wouldn't recommend this book for pleasure reading, it is an excellent book for studying poetry. This book is especially important for hearing a unique point of view from a member of the black community and the LGBQT+ community.
