Customer Reviews

Why Things Burn: Poems

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Daphne Gottlieb, a popular San Francisco-based slam poet, is the master of provocation through words. Her second book, Why Things Burn, made me so uncomfortable and rattled, that I couldn't put it down until I finished, and it still stayed with me for weeks after. It leaves deep impressions from its shocking imagery, surprises, and dark humor. These are poems that submissively go down on you, pleasing for awhile, before suddenly biting down with searing agony. Within this slim book packs power that I have seldom experienced from anything else. I highly recommend it for everyone.

I have a difficult time with the "poetry slam" concept, having seen too much truly awful work in those venues over time. And I've never seen acclaimed slam poet Daphne Gottlieb perform. But this collection stands up on the page. "You break it, you bought it" is an entire Dorothy Allison novel in two pages -- or The Glass Menagerie written from Laura Wingfield's point of view, .... Gottlieb also has a fine ear for vernacular and how to translate it into "found verse," as in "Aunt Irene Tells Time," which also shows her sly sense of whimsy. There's no grandstanding or posturing here -- just a strong, smart voice searching for answers and occasionally howling at the pernicious and vicious forces that get in the way of beauty and love.

just buy this book. i have guilt spending money on buying poetry. just buy this book. it woke me up from a long emotional sleep. i was recommended this book through pat califia's website -- check that out for more great recommendations.

Gottlieb's invigorating poetry is fierce, humorous, insightful, and full of impact. Ranging in themes, this collection is a marvelous addition to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary. My favorites include "A Guide to Kissing in Public for Lesbians" (which blends in lessons fo CPR), "Mastering the Art of Poetry" (delicious), "Shotgun Wedding" (quite moving and poignant). My edition is different than the one offered here, with pictures of Gottlieb. The cover is a lot more arresting.

I had the privledge of meeting Daphne Gottlieb and hearing her poetry in person. After the show I was lucky enough to talk to her. I immidately came home and bought Why Things Burn and Pelt. They are all excellant. I find myself captivated after every poem. This is definately a book I'm going to read over and over.

I strongly recommend reading Daphne Gottlieb's "Why Things Burn." Gottlieb has a way of disturbing you while turning you on at the same time. "Why Things Burn" doesn't feel as strong a collection as her more recent book, "Kissing Dead Girls." "Why Things Burn" is a collection of jumbled topics, which is fine - and actually pretty common for a book of poetry. And "Why Things Burn" has more traditional forms of poetry, while (some) readers might find the lengthy prose in "Dead Girls" to be lacking the "poetry" that they were looking for. Gottlieb is bold and in your face, which has been a much needed relief from the women poets I have been reading lately. She doesn't "dainty" around any topic. If you pick up this book, I recommend watching some online archived footage of her reading. She is known as a slam poet, and hearing her read her own work with give you a good feel for her voice.

So few modern poets are able to describe their subject with such force in so conversational a manner. She uses common words that are uncommonly set together that peirce you with their odd recipe for discomfort. These poems are truthful and passonate, painfully so.