Poems of the Erotic, the Romantic, the Violent, and the Grotesque.After reading No Mercy by Alessandro Manzetti last year {my review}, I've been wanting to read a lot more horror poetry. The only exposure I have to horror poetry these days is the occasional inclusion in an anthology. This year I'm seeking out single author poetry collections so get ready to see more poetry reviews from me.
If You Died Tomorrow I'd Eat Your Corpse was an interesting first selection for me. I am not an erotica reader so I was throwing myself outside of my comfort zone in both format and content.
Overall, I'm extremely glad I read this one.
I've noticed something over the last year in particular: collection introductions can be extremely helpful. I feel like most of my reading life I've skipped over the introduction (give me the stories already!), but the last few collection introductions I've read have really put me in the correct frame of mind heading into the stories.
In the introduction to If You Died Tomorrow I Would Eat Your Corpse, Wrath James White comments on the time span in which he wrote these poems. Some of them go back to his "angst-ridden youth". A lot of his comments show in the unevenness of the collection, but I was prepared for it.
Not being an erotica reader and not being a regular reader of poetry, there were a lot of misses for me in the collection, but there were some hits, too.
One "poem" in particular (Perpetual Motion) is one of the greatest things I've read this year. I say "poem" because there is a short poem that leads into basically a short story*. I hate to say my favorite thing about this poetry collection is a short story, but it is and it's worth reading the entire collection to just have it framed around that one short story.
7/10: Recommended Read
Update: Since writing my review I have learned about "prose poems" which are written in prose without line breaks but maintain a poetic quality. This would be an appropriate description of Perpetual Motion.
I struggle quite badly with poetry so I’m always impressed when people not only read it but enjoy it. This one has such a disturbing cover and name.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is creepier than the stories inside.
DeleteI don't read erotica, or a lot of poetry, either. But it's a great title! It would definitely make me pick this one up. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a really great title. :)
DeleteSometimes it really pays to read outside your comfort zone. I probably wouldn't have picked this one up either, because I'm not a big poetry fan, like, AT ALL. The title of this collection made me chuckle though, because it's so morbid! I'm glad it worked out for you, and I confess you've made me kind of curious as well.
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I love when I'm surprised outside of my comfort zone. :)
DeleteThat title (and the cover) have me seriously creeped out, and the combination of horror and erotica? I've never read a lot of poetry to be honest, but poetry with a horror slant seems like it could be really cool! Glad this was so good!
ReplyDeleteThe cover/title are actually creepier than most of the content. You know I love a horror slant to anything!
DeleteI don't read poetry at all-for some reason it never interested me. I've read one novella by the author and liked it but can't recall the name of it. I always meant to try more by him.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first WJW book. I'm not sure I'm brave enough for a full story, but he's definitely on my radar now.
DeleteI'm not a big poetry reader either but I have to admit, the title and cover are catchy. Although I originally read it as "If You Died Tomorrow WHO Would Eat Your Corpse?" and I immediately thought - my dogs. They seem to be on a dog food hunger strike right now and might be willing to give me a go. #DrivingMeNuts
ReplyDeleteLOL. I really needed that laugh, Barb! Haha.
DeleteWraith is an intense writer. I wish I could make myself enjoy poetry because I'd most definitely read this :)
ReplyDeleteI need to pick up something else by him.
DeleteNot going to lie - I'm an absolute neanderthal and poetry just isn't my thing but glad this worked for you - and great creepy cover.
ReplyDeleteLynn :D
The people in my life who like poetry amounts to pretty much one other person. :) You aren't alone.
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