Deze auteur duikt in de complexiteit van de menselijke geest, waarbij ze ingewikkelde relaties en maatschappelijke onderstromingen onderzoekt. Haar schrijven wordt gekenmerkt door scherpe inzichten en een poëtische stem die lezers naar haar unieke werelden trekt. Haar werk, dat vaak thema's als identiteit en ergens bijhoren aansnijdt, biedt een krachtig en uniek perspectief. Lezers ontdekken diep ontroerende en tot nadenken stemmende verhalen die nog lang na de laatste pagina nazinderen.
Wanda Coleman expertly blends satire and journalism, offering a sharp critique of life in Los Angeles. Her work showcases a unique perspective on societal issues, highlighting the vibrancy and challenges of the city. Through her incisive writing, Coleman captures the essence of contemporary culture, making her commentary both engaging and thought-provoking.
Exploring themes of resilience and survival, this collection reflects the experiences of a self-made writer from Black Los Angeles, grappling with racism, poverty, and violence. Through powerful poetry, the author confronts personal loss and societal challenges, offering poignant insights into the human condition. With a voice that resonates with the struggles of the marginalized, the work embodies the spirit of perseverance, making it a profound tribute to the enduring power of language and the poetic tradition.
Wanda Coleman's work is being re-introduced to a fresh audience, highlighting its relevance and impact. This revival offers readers a chance to explore her unique voice and literary contributions, showcasing themes that resonate with contemporary issues. The timing emphasizes the importance of her work in today's literary landscape, inviting both new and seasoned readers to engage with her powerful narratives.
Nobody wrote about police hassle like she did. Nobody wrote about making ends meet, about the history of the slave trade or the comedy of the daily grind, with the same breathtaking originality and brio; and few writers, before or since, have had the courage to write with such honesty about their everyday experience of life - and love - in an unjust world. This is the first ever UK publication of the poetry of Wanda Coleman: a beat-up, broke and Black woman who wrote with defiance, humour and clarity about her life on the margins, and who went overlooked by the establishment for decades - even as she was known colloquially as 'the unofficial poet laureate of Los Angeles'. Wicked Enchantment gathers 130 of Coleman's poems in a selection by Terrance Hayes. Funny, angry, endlessly alive and written with an immediacy and frankness that captivate, here is the essential work of a poet of fierce resistance and self-belief against the odds
Past winner of the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, this long-time author from
Black Sparrow Press is known for her fierce adherence to the truth and a
language so musical one can almost hear the blues line underneath her stanzas.
schovat popis
The collection features Wanda Coleman's reflections on three decades of life in Los Angeles, blending satire, poetry, and journalism. Through various articles, essays, interviews, and columns originally published in notable outlets, Coleman offers a personal and emotional exploration of the city's evolution and her own journey. She describes her work as a tour through the complex landscape of Los Angeles, capturing the essence of her experiences and observations over the years.
Through vivid and intense dramatic monologues, the poet captures the harsh realities of life on the streets of Los Angeles. The gritty portrayal of young gangsters, poverty, and despair reveals a world where violence and survival intertwine, reflecting deep societal issues. Coleman's raw and dynamic voice conveys not just the pain but also a fierce anger towards those who exploit the vulnerable. This powerful exploration of human suffering and resilience invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths and fosters a transformative experience.
The burnings from which Coleman culls her work casts a glow and unique warmth that invites the reader to sit by her metaphorical hearth, to laugh and enjoy their “conversation.” The contemplative and philosophical have entered her voice as she continues to explore the conflicts and confusions that shape the aesthetic terrain of Southern California and beyond—as she continues to grapple with cultural bias, malignant domestic neglect, poverty, and the damages of racism, yet broadening her palette of social ills to include the privacies of grief, loss and transcendence. A nominee and finalist for Poet Laureate of California, she continues to reflect the ethnic scramble of Los Angeles, where she has been honored by proclamations from the city’s elected officials, including the mayor’s office, the city council and the Department of Cultural Affairs.