Thank you so much to the author for the gifted ARC!

In Joelle Baron's "Excerpts from a Burned Letter," queerness is more than just flat representation on a page; it’s palpable and tangible, stretching throughout time into the present. In their collection, Baron reinvents conversations between historical queer women to reflect on their own stifled queer childhood. 

Baron’s imagery grabs hold of you from the first page, painting scenes so vivid you can almost touch them. Lines like "my throat full of grief-thirst that received / no answering gulp” evoke such familiar experiences, they sit like stones in your gut long after you’ve finished reading. 

Yet, the potency of these poems extends beyond their imagery; it lies in the layers of meaning woven throughout the collection. Through metaphor and symbolism, Baron navigates themes of queer identity, desire, and belonging with a profound depth that reverberates with readers. The line "A woman / was a vessel, in one way or another" transcends mere femininity, speaking to the expectations and constraints imposed by patriarchal structures. Moreover, the recurrent allusions to history and mythology imbue the poems with a richness that extends beyond the collection, anchoring each entry within broader cultural contexts.

The poems in "Excerpts from a Burned Letter” don’t just tell stories; they invite you on a journey of discovery, nostalgia, and transformation. Each poem serves as a conduit for shared understanding and connection between reader and writer. Within these verses, Baron delves into disability, deconstruction, autism, motherhood, grief, and more.

One of the collection's most compelling aspects is its embrace of ambiguity and uncertainty. Baron invites readers to grapple with open-ended phrases and fragmented narratives, fostering space for multiple interpretations and personal reflections. This approach not only enriches the poems but also mirrors the multifaceted nature of queer experiences and histories. As Baron asks, “What is queer knowing, / if not an unnamable vortex / of some things human / and some, beyond.” 

At its core, "Excerpts from a Burned Letter" is a poignant exploration of queerness and otherness. Baron confronts oppression and harm head-on, challenging readers to interrogate their own assumptions about identity and difference. Themes of desire, longing, and transformation permeate the collection, buoyed by sensuous and decadent language that beckons readers to read these poems aloud.

In summary, "Excerpts from a Burned Letter" is a captivating and thought-provoking collection that resonates deeply with the queer experience. Joelle Baron's poetry shines with its rich imagery, nuanced themes, and visionary reflections, inviting readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery and affirmation. For queer millennials seeking literature that authentically reflects their values and experiences, this collection is indispensable. Joelle Baron's masterful craftsmanship and heartfelt expression render this collection an indispensable addition to contemporary queer literature.

Highly recommend this one for fans of Gay Girl Prayers by Emily Austin!