Fought the inclination to give this one five stars, as it was such a bitch to track down! Though -- despite it containing one of my absolute favorite Fought the inclination to give this one five stars, as it was such a bitch to track down! Though -- despite it containing one of my absolute favorite poems by Catalyst (unavailable elsewhere, to my knowledge) -- to be fair, I have to admit 'it is what it is': a darker-than-pitch, Goth-damaged collection of erotic verse, unrequited love and imagery steeped in melancholic solitude...from an author in the burgeoning stages of his craft.
You won't be seeing this one at your local Hot Topic anytime soon, kids -- nor is it the faintest blood-smear of a threat to the Twilight franchise. And for that? I am most grateful . . .
I love this book, and find it amusing that anyone would complain about the subject matter, considering the title as well as the list of authors. Kind I love this book, and find it amusing that anyone would complain about the subject matter, considering the title as well as the list of authors. Kind of like reading The Joy of Gay Sex and complaining about there being "too much homosexuality."
Favorites that immediately come to mind are Cara Bruce's "Love Boat and Lingerie," Charlie Anders' "I Am So Smart," Jayson Elliot's "New," Eileen Myles' "Liquid Sky," Alvin Orloff's "Hell House," Dennis Cooper's "One Night...," Dodie Bellamy's "Phonezone," Sara Seinberg's "Twelve (Other) Easy Steps To God," Shawna Kenney's "Shiny Baubles," and yes, the contributions from editors Tea and Catalyst.
The subject matter is not for the conservative or easily-offended, and the colloquial manner in which (most) are written is not for staunch advocates of 'literature' as defined by the Western Canon. However, for readers who are interested in the first-person narrative--in particular, anecdotes exploring the topics of pills, thrills, chills, and/or heartache--this is an excellent introduction to the authors included therein.
As for the snide comment about "high school journals," so many of the people involved in this collection are well-established authors (within their respective mileus, very least), I can't help but wonder if the attack is personal--either to one of the editors, or perhaps a contributor? As stated earlier, this anthology isn't for everyone...but what is? It was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2004, so I guess I'm not alone in my assessment.
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