The Book for My Brother

By Tomaž Šalamun

Book Overview

This newest collection of poems from Tomaz Salamun is exuberant, ambitious, and full of surprises. Here the devil is encountered and understood-

I see the devil's head, people, I see his whole body . . .

he longs for innocence, as we do.

Here the poet juggles many tones, languages, and countries. Desire is evoked as both frustrating and exhilarating-

I'm watered by longing, knocking my

head into the wall, on the ground, or I burn, burn,

folded up on the couch.

And memory comes back to remind us of the laws and experiences of childhood-

Once again you are let loose in the sea

only after five o'clock in the afternoon to take

a dose of sunlight like the ticking of the clock.

At once daring and clear-voiced, The Book for My Brother is an extraordinary achievement.

What emerges when a master poet holds desire, memory, and innocence up to a surreal, unwavering light?

Avant-Garde Vision: A singular voice that juggles languages and landscapes, from the banks of the Nile to the streets of New York, creating a vibrant, borderless world.The Sacred and Profane: Confrontations with devils, saints, and childhood ghosts where innocence and experience are held in a beautiful, startling tension.Poems of Raw Desire: An unflinching exploration of longing--sometimes a fire on the couch, sometimes a knock against the wall--that is both frustrating and exhilarating.Masterful Translation: Experience the power and playfulness of one of Slovenia's most celebrated poets, brought to life in a vivid and clear-voiced English translation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156032058
• ISBN13: 9780156032056
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 8.0"