Amy Gerstler Knihy

A surreal new collection from an acclaimed poetHallucinogenic plants chant in chorus. A thoughtful dog grants an interview. A caterpillar offers life advice. Amy Gerstler’s newest collection of poetry, Dearest Creature, marries fact and fiction in a menagerie of dramatic monologues, twisted love poems, and epistolary pleadings. Drawing on sources as disparate as Lewis Carroll and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , as well as abnormal psychology, etiquette, and archaeology texts, these darkly imaginative poems probe what it means to be a sentient, temporary, flesh-and-blood beast, to be hopelessly, vividly creaturely.

The collection features a diverse array of dramatic voices, including characters like Cinderella's wicked sisters and a woman married to a bear. Gerstler explores themes of love, mourning, and the intersection of science and pseudo-science, all while maintaining a playful yet subversive tone. The poems are rich in emotion and language, filled with unexpected twists and dark humor, offering a haunting exploration of the elusive authorial presence that connects these varied perspectives.

Exploring themes of love, mourning, and the intersection of science and the supernatural, this collection features thirty-seven poems that showcase Amy Gerstler's unique voice and style. Through a playful yet profound lens, she draws meaning from diverse subjects, ranging from a doll hospital to Beethoven's symphonies and even the simplicity of toast. With a blend of dramatic voices and visual techniques, the poems are both entertaining and intellectually engaging, solidifying Gerstler's status as a significant contemporary poet.

From a "maestra of invention" (The New York Times) who is at once supremely witty, ferociously smart, and emotionally raw, a new collection of poems about womanhood Amy Gerstler has won acclaim for sly, sophisticated, and subversive poems that find meaning in unexpected places. Women's voices, from childhood to old age, dominate this new collection of rants, dramatic monologues, confessions and laments. A young girl muses on virginity. An aging opera singer rages against the fact that she must quit drinking. A woman in a supermarket addresses a head of lettuce. The tooth fairy finally speaks out. Both comic and prayer-like, these poems wrestle with mortality, animality, love, gender, and what it is to be human.

This collection showcases the work of an award-winning poet, celebrated for their lyrical mastery and profound themes. Longlisted for the 2015 National Book Award for Poetry, the poems explore intricate emotions and vivid imagery, inviting readers into a rich tapestry of experiences. Each piece reflects the poet's unique voice and perspective, making this collection a significant contribution to contemporary poetry.

The poet delves into the themes of transformation and adaptability in nature, showcasing her signature wit and complexity. This inventive collection invites readers to reflect on the dynamic essence of life on Earth, presenting a rich tapestry of ideas and imagery that highlight the ongoing evolution of the natural world.