Monica Youn's FROM FROM

I reviewed Monica Youn's new book FROM FROM for The Poetry School in the UK.

"From From, Monica Youn’s fourth book of poems, is a striking departure from her first three books. Instead of addressing race obliquely and occasionally, From From confronts it full-on, from beginning to end. Interviewed in Bomb magazine, Youn explained, ‘I always felt I had permission to talk about race, but I wanted to figure out a way to write about race that would ring true to me.’ The child of Korean immigrants, Youn trains her incisive intelligence and considerable lyrical gift on her experience growing up in Texas and living in New York as a racial minority. The result is a volume of poems that is deeply heartfelt yet bracingly suspicious, exploratory and accomplished...."

If you're in NYC and would like to hear Monica Youn read, please consider coming to this fun Happy Hour jointly organized by the NY Public Library and Singapore Unbound on Friday, May 26, 5.30-7.30 pm, on a midtown rooftop. Monica Youn will be reading with Vijay Seshadri and Hamid Roslan. The event is free, but registration is required.

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