In the Function of External Circumstances

by Edwin Torres

Poet and performer Edwin Torres’s extraordinary new book emerges in five riveting sections with a thematic undercurrent examining the body, love, journey, direction, and talk. These poems, intimate and expansive, use lyrical tone as an entry into communication, allowing experimental pieces and quiet poems to coexist. Black-and-white art illuminates the text and contributes to the lingual density while adding a figurative translation to the work. The overall sense is one of internal combustion, a sensory experience within the allegory of the human condition.

Genres: Poetry

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Edwin Torres is a former New York State Supreme Court judge and author, who wrote the 1975 novel Carlito's Way. His book was the basis for the 1993 movie of the same name, starring Al Pacino, and for the 1979 book After Hours, the sequel to Carlito's Way.

In 1958, Torres was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1959, as an assistant district attorney, Torres participated in the prosecution of Sal "the Capeman" Agron. Shortly thereafter he became a criminal defense attorney.

In 1977, Torres was appointed to the New York State Criminal Court. In 1980 he was selected to the State Supreme Court, where he served as a justice in the Twelfth Judicial District in New York City. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, and Torres presided over a number of high-profile murder cases.

He retired from the bench in 2008 and since then has served on the New York State Athletic Commission.

A film adaptation of Q & A was released in 1990, directed by Sidney Lumet, and it starred Nick Nolte and Armand Assante. "After Hours" was filmed in 1993, but used the title Carlito's Way to avoid being confused with Martin Scorsese's 1985 film After Hours.

Reviews

[Landin Chesne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most poems felt jumbled and aimless. Language for the sake of language, rather than saying anything interesting. There were a few diamonds in the rough, which probably shined even brighter due to the lackluster context they're placed in.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am talking hitting and missing all over the place. The first two sections were throw-aways but I'm glad I didn't give up b/c "Underneath a Southern Cross" is where it's at - go there/read that - it is much fun and very likable but three stars so like like like.