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What if red ran out
"What if red ran out" is the assured first collection from one of Canada's finest young poets. Provocative, funny, and brash, the poems in this collection leap from one surprising image to another, from poignancy to an outlandish, teasing delight. The sheer tonal range of Grubisic's poems is remarkable. They shimmer with playfulness yet deepen into contemplative gravity.
These street-smart poems register the pulse of contemporary commodity culture's off-kilter pacing; "the hyena at the bodega," as she calls it. They peer into back alleys of thought and bring forth our fears. But then, all at once, they race down the street again, laughing, reminding us of all we love and how we might hold onto it.
These street-smart poems register the pulse of contemporary commodity culture's off-kilter pacing; "the hyena at the bodega," as she calls it. They peer into back alleys of thought and bring forth our fears. But then, all at once, they race down the street again, laughing, reminding us of all we love and how we might hold onto it.
88 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 16, 2017
While I can't remember many words from these poems, I do remember vividly how these poems touched me back when I read the collection during university, which was further heightened by hearing Katia read in person. Alas, I gave my copy to a former crush from those years, but it doesn't look like Katia has any new work so I should track down another copy of this one!
June 7, 2009
Katia Grubisic’s debut poetry collection is at once both whimsical and realistic. While one piece will read straight out of a daydream, the next seems to be merely retelling the day’s events — although, admittedly, with a lot more style and grace than a news report.
Grubisic’s lyrical talents are unquestionable, but at times these skills are not enough to sustain the weight of this small yet substantial book. Sure, it’s less than 100 pages, but the content here is still fairly heavy and I often found myself wading through it at a rather slow pace.
A few gems do stand out in this collection, however, including “Barometer” (an analysis of what happens in the moment you decide to kiss someone) and “Manifesto for August” (the story of the month of August, personified as a flighty yet independent woman).
Overall, What if red ran out is a mixed bouquet that could use a bit more pruning.
Grubisic’s lyrical talents are unquestionable, but at times these skills are not enough to sustain the weight of this small yet substantial book. Sure, it’s less than 100 pages, but the content here is still fairly heavy and I often found myself wading through it at a rather slow pace.
A few gems do stand out in this collection, however, including “Barometer” (an analysis of what happens in the moment you decide to kiss someone) and “Manifesto for August” (the story of the month of August, personified as a flighty yet independent woman).
Overall, What if red ran out is a mixed bouquet that could use a bit more pruning.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews