My Whole Expanse I Cannot See…

I formulate infinity stored deep inside of me…

Jan 3

Apocrypha

Category: Opinions

I just finished a spectacular little book of poetry and prose, Apocrypha by Catherynne M. Valente.

Her writing is so disturbingly beautiful, telling of the sorrows of fairy tale witches, struggles between wicked stepmother and daughter, tragic heroes and even the birth of language itself. Apocrypha is just another example of Valente’s brilliant ability to paint gorgeously surreal pictures with the written word.

7 comments

7 Comments so far

  1. teresa January 4th, 2009 9:17 pm

    Sunday, January 04, 2009
    When you are in a bad mood, you serve your enemy.
    – Dalai Lama

  2. michael January 4th, 2009 10:28 pm

    teresa, I’d so love to know what that has to do with Apocrypha.

  3. Will January 4th, 2009 11:44 pm

    I think we’re all served best just letting that one go….

    I read the reviews on Amazon of CMV’s work; from the following; I’ll be picking it up. Not exactly what becons me, but, since you admire, I have to give props and make a purchase. It wasn’t until you this year dude, that I picked up a book and ran away with it. It’s amazing the ancillary thoughts and feelings that come about with a good book; none intended by the author; your own personal world come to light, come to mind. Choke; wow, read it in like 2 days; I find the most intriguing feature of Choke is; shall I share it with peeps; several will not, NOT follow it to it’s end and hear the message, see the work for what it is; get all trapped up in the surface value and words….guess that’s part of the processing process….it’s so lovely when you can Get Past the surface and see the depths…..Later/Happy New Year/Happy Birthday, Rock On Brotha – Looking forward to everything you’ve got to offer.

  4. michael January 5th, 2009 12:08 am

    Will, I’m totally glad you loved Choke, and that you’re picking up Apocrypha. Cat’s a brilliant writer who deserves to be read.

    And I rarely let interesting stuff go.

  5. Will January 5th, 2009 12:20 am

    …and her sleeve rises; and you can clearly read ” PATIENT”….. 🙂

    We’re all there on the 2nd Floor. Thank God or goodness or whatever; you’re the professor doing the experimental drug treatments on Us, getting us engaged… Without you; it’d be All Nurse Ratchet. Bit dramatic but, you get me.

    🙂

  6. teresa January 5th, 2009 12:49 am

    Mike, Apocrypha or no Apocrypha, the words of Dalai Lama can been seen as a gift. Have you learned anything from that you can use to your benefit? How about taking your negative energy and forcing yourself to change it into healing thoughts? T

  7. michael January 5th, 2009 3:25 am

    teresa, I do appreciate the Lama, really. Still, we’re talking about a book of poetry here, not my “negative energy.” It seems to be your mission to “fix” me, whether I need it or not. Whether I want it or not.

    I don’t at all find comfort in the Lama. I take comfort in Cobain, and Love, and Smith, and Mann, they’re all little pieces of me.

    I have a certain sadness and loneliness in me, always have, but they’re just parts. I’m also kind, and smart, and loving, and romantic. I’ve had to deal with more than some, and less than others in my 28 years, these experiences have made me a dark, hopeful, sad, lonely, delighted person. I cope with the dark by writing about it, by knowing that others share my dark spaces. We all cope in our own way.

    Oh, and buy Apocrypha!