Customer Reviews

Burning Down the House : Selected Poems from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe's National Poetry Slam Champions

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A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to happen upon the book release party in New York that accompanied this amazing work. It features a selection of poetry from the 1998 National Slam Champion team, whose members have roots in the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City. Compelled to buy this book immediately, I haven't been able to put it down since. The magic of this work truly has to do with the ways in which the words leap off of the pages. They are not limited by their printed form - each poem is inextricably connected to its spoken word beginnings, evident in the bebop rhythms and flowing verses. The flavor of each individual poet is magnificently displayed in each and every selection in this work. In their selections, Lynne Procope's lyrical rhythms lull you into the fire of her pride as a Caribbean woman. Guy LeCharles Gonzalez tells us tales of his Bronx upbringing. Steve Colman's rules of grammar would floor any high school English teacher. Alix Olson's cutting edge verse would make Mayor Giuliani's toes curl. And the patriarch of it all, Roger Bonair-Agard, weaves stories of his own childhood in which you can positively smell the islands. This work of art is highly recommended to any fan of spoken word, poetry slams, or to anyone who is simply interested in poetry by young, fresh, political voices. It is a beautiful book from start to finish.

I won't call the works in this book poetry, although I know that is the "general" term for what is written here. Call it artistic expression due to the fact that most people have a preconceived notion of what "poetry" is. THIS ISN'T YOUR RUN OF THE MILL POETRY - Lets get that out right now. I read this not really knowing what to expect and to say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Thought provoking line after line, at times I found myself wanting to put the book down and clap out loud. Roger Bonair-Agard SHINES with his works in the book, namely "Jennica - The Anti-Barbie." Can you relate? Guy LeCharles Gonzalez is a highlight as well with his in your face approach. This book makes you think on another level. There are no mediocore authors here. Simply great writting.

The poets that make up this book are all unique and interesting but the compiler did i great job when he started out the book with a poem by Steven Coleman, calle "I wanna hear a poem." It really gets the reader into the mind set that poetry is what you make it and the limits are only thpose which we put on our selves.

Hi! I actually haven't read the book yet, but I did see Steve Colman perform and he is amazing. I am actually looking for Steve's book that he wrote after this one--on his own. If anyone knows where to find it, please email me at jb266@evansville.edu.