POETRY

Scald

by Denise Duhamel
Univ. of Pittsburgh. (Pitt Poetry). Feb. 2017. 112p. ISBN 9780822964506. pap. $15.95. POETRY
COPY ISBN
In a spill of language and emotion often contained in the traditional form of the villanelle and pantoum, National Book Critics Circle finalist Duhamel (Blowout) explores women's place in the world as part of nature, history, and culture and forever at sword's edge with men. The first poem in the book's opening section, dedicated to Shulamith Firestone, takes a steely-eyed look at feminism as legacy and inevitability ("'having it both ways,'/ a phrase I hate/ as men always have it both ways"). Later, in a poem on evolution, the line "A woman's real ancestors, not divine but animal" sums up the spirit throughout as we see the animal in the "stellar explosion" of desire, the frank discussion of fornicating (or not), and one fabulous, juicy poem titled "Porn Poem (With Andrea Dworkin)."
VERDICT Duhamel's deceptively informational, almost deadpan voice might at first puzzle but soon becomes incantatory, even obsessive. Engaging for a wide range of readers.
Reviewed by Barbara Hoffert , Feb 15, 2017
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

Sturge Town: Poems
by Dawes, Kwame
MEDIA

Root Fractures: Poems
by Nguyen, Diana Khoi
NONFICTION

Tiny Extravaganzas
by Mehta, Diane
MEDIA

How To Be a Good Savage and Other Poems
by Sánchez, Mikeas
MEDIA

Besaydoo: Poems
by Kamara, Yalie Saweda
NONFICTION

A Year of Last Things: Poems
by Ondaatje, Michael
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?