Hands Washing Water (Paperback)

~ Chris Abani (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Chris Abani's poetry resonates with a devastating beauty which cuts through to the heart of human strength."-Pride

Hands Washing Water is Chris Abani's fourth poetry collection-a mischievous book of displacement, exile, ancestry, and subversive humor. The central section, "Buffalo Women," is a Civil War correspondence between lovers that plays on our assumptions about war, gender, morality, and politics.

Sweetest Henri,
I know we promised to be honest,
one to the other, but your recent missive,
though welcome as any epistle from you,
filled me with a dread that clung
like dampness to wet wood. I am terrified
for your immortal soul, dear sweet Henri.
This mad war of Lincoln is infecting you
with a sickness too depraved to even address. . .

Abani's writing is ruthless, at times traumatic, and consistently filled with surprising twists and turns.

About the Author

Chris Abani was born in Nigeria in 1966 and published his first novel at sixteen. He has been imprisoned, tortured, and sentenced to death for his literary activities. After fleeing Nigeria he continued to write, and is the author of ten books of poetry and fiction. He teaches at UC Riverside.

Product Details

• Paperback: 90 pages
• Publisher: Copper Canyon Press (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556592477
• ISBN-13: 978-1556592478
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #885,573 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not well enough known, October 30, 2008

By	Norma Chapman (Brunswick, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I heard Abani at the Dodge poetry festival and found his work intriguing enough to want to buy one of his books. This has some breath-taking poems in it, especially "The New Religion," and "Buffalo Women." It also has some funny poems, including one dedicated to John Cage. (It helps to read the notes at the end either before or after reading the poem).

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poetry in greatness, May 6, 2007

By	Raymond L. Daniels (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my second meeting with Mr. Abani's writing, I was moved the first time and now again.