Cynthia Cruz Knihy

How do our bodies speak for us when words don?t suffice? How can we make ourselves understood when what we have to say is inarticulable? In Disquieting, Cynthia Cruz tarries with others who have provided examples of how to ?turn away,? or reject the ideologies of contemporary Neoliberal culture. These essays inhabit connections between silence, refusal, anorexia, mental illness, and Neoliberalism. Cruz also explores the experience of being working-class and poor in contemporary culture, and how those who are silenced often turn to forms of disquietude that value open-endedness, complexity, and difficulty. Disquieting: Essays on Silence draws on philosophy, theory, art, film, and literature to offer alternative ways of being in this world and possibilities for building a new one.

Exploring the impact of war and inequality, this collection of poems features extraordinary women who confront violence, addiction, and poverty. Inspired by Marguerite Duras, the work emphasizes the importance of self-renaming as a form of renewal. The speaker aligns with a community of women writers, viewing language as both nourishment and a tool for resistance. This collection serves as an homage to these voices and a manifesto for survival against societal attempts to silence dissent.

The narrative explores the tension between the tangible, material world and the mysterious, unseen realms. It delves into the conflicts that arise from these opposing forces, highlighting the challenges faced by characters as they navigate their existence amid these contrasting realities. Themes of perception, belief, and the nature of reality are woven throughout, offering a thought-provoking examination of how these two worlds interact and influence one another.

What does it mean to be working-class in a middle-class world? Cynthia Cruz shows us how class affects culture and our mental health and what we can do about it - calling not for assimilation, but for annihilation.

These poems powerfully articulate the struggles of those marginalized by poverty, addiction, war, and consumerism. Through evocative language and poignant imagery, the collection seeks to illuminate the experiences of the voiceless, offering a raw and honest reflection on societal issues. Each piece serves as a testament to resilience and the human spirit, inviting readers to confront uncomfortable truths and empathize with the challenges faced by others.

Exploring the complexities of the death drive, Cynthia Cruz's collection delves into the paradox of self-destruction as a means of survival. Through evocative imagery and poignant reflections, the poems confront themes of sorrow, love, and the struggle for meaning in a world that often feels unloving. The speaker navigates memories and past wounds, seeking to master their pain while contemplating the future. Ultimately, the collection invites readers to return to nature, suggesting that in confronting our shadows, we may find the possibility of renewal.

Cynthia Cruz's collection delves into the juxtaposition of beauty and despair, exploring the lives of both glamorous and troubled individuals. Through her poignant poetry, she captures the essence of human experience, revealing the complexities of identity and emotion. The work reflects a deep engagement with themes of longing, loss, and the search for meaning amid chaos, offering readers a rich tapestry of insight into the interplay between light and darkness in life.

A collection of poems constructed like a series of film montages or collages showing what the world looks like now