Brandon O'Brien (1)

The rhythm and power in this collection has a ferocity which all but bleeds off the page, and although it's not the most accessible collection (even for a poetry-lover like myself), part of the beauty of it is that readers can take what they will from it in terms of moments and full pieces, putting in work as they can, and then come back to it. There are so many gorgeous, powerful moments and stanzas and sentences and phrases. So much meaning to be collected. And as a result, it can't all be taken in in one solid sitting. The pieces beg to be read, savored, and revisited for level after level of meaning.

Some of my favorite moments:

From "The Metaphysics of a Wine, in Theory and Practice":

"the music did hit me
and your body did catch me
and somewhere in the centre
of those competing gravities
was the cosmos in its own waistline motion"

And, from "Young Poet Just Misses Getting MF Doom's Autograph":

"I just wanted to ask about the mask.
I just wanted to ask about having a spare self,
a decoy for before worries."

There is so much to adore in this collection, and learn from and benefit from, and the author's essay/note at the back is a powerful writing in all itself, which adds full other layers to the WORK behind the poetry and in the poetry.

I'd absolutely recommend this work to poetry lovers and horror lovers alike, and really to any reader willing to fall into the work and the rhythm of the poems and their pains, and swallow them down.… (more)

The sheer artistry evident in every line of this poetry collection is breathtaking. O’Brien’s level of craft and polish easily balances razor-sharp wit and whimsy with moving commentary on art, race, Blackness, the complexity of admiring and being influenced by artists who are imperfect humans, and so much more. Every poem in the set is a highlight, though the one about MF Doom and the ones about iconic Calypso singers were particular standouts for me. All of the poems in the book are thoughtful, musical, hilarious and tragic in equal measure—and, most of all, they are brilliant. I went into this book expecting to be entertained—after all, the title! The Lovecraft mythos references! —and came away amazed.

This collection is a joy to read. I would very much recommend it—and I plan to purchase a hard copy to share with friends and family.

I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.… (more)