I'm beyond excited to share with you that Whitehot Magazine has published a review of my poetry collection, "The Simple Art of Murder." This is especially meaningful to me, as the review appears alongside a piece by Donald Kuspit about a new Robert Smithson book. As an arts writing enthusiast, being mentioned in the same context as Kuspit, an arts writing all-star, is truly an honor; as is having any real estate even close to Smithson.
In the review, Daisy Kincaid delves into the thematic richness of "The Simple Art of Murder." She describes the collection as an "ekphrastic gallop through history and pop culture," engaging with a wide range of artists and authors. From Warhol and Gauguin to Hemingway and Vonnegut, the book invites readers on a journey across America, exploring intimate relationships and the concept of loss.
Kincaid highlights the book's significance in contemporary art discourse. She says my background as an arts writer, educator, and visual artist enriches the poetry, making it accessible to a broad audience, and that the poems bridge historical and contemporary artistic expressions, creating a connection with our current cultural moment. Kincaid notes lines from one my poems: “If you were etching a new universe against the stars, the sky, an ocean, and a field, what shape do you think you’d start with?”
The review doesn’t shy away from the book's exploration of addiction in America, depicting our national obsessions and the raw-edged portrayal of our era. Kincaid quotes from the titular poem: "When you type in 'Texas Shooting,' Google isn’t sure what to tell you anymore." This encapsulates the collection's unflinching look at contemporary issues.
Kincaid notes the presence of regret and survivor’s guilt yet also recognizes flashes of hope throughout the collection as "The Simple Art of Murder" delves into the personal, exploring the narrow path between addiction and recovery and the struggles of sobriety.
The review concludes by acknowledging the omnipresence of endings in the book, be it the end of a relationship, a quest for home, or life itself, leaving the reader to ponder whether this is a relief or a burden.
To read the full review and explore more about my journey in creating "The Simple Art of Murder," I invite you to visit Whitehot Magazine's website. The book is available for purchase from Broadstone Books now and in wide release starting February 15th.