Poet Joyelle McSweeney discusses her latest poetry collection 'Death Styles,' exploring the juxtaposition of death and style, survival through writing, and the eerie prescience of her works. The bonus audio features a performance from her operatic reimagining of the trial of Oscar Pistorius. The conversation delves into aesthetics, poetics, and the intertwining of personal and global tragedies in her work.
Death Styles explores grief and loss in a poetic collection.
The eye symbolizes creation and evolution in different species.
The podcast delves into underworld themes and Greek mythology parallels.
Sound's transformative power and hearing loss impact poetic creation.
Deep dives
The Intriguing World of World Poetry
World Poetry, a non-profit publishing firm based in New York City, showcases a diverse array of poets and translations from various languages. They are known for bringing works from modern masters, emerging voices, and innovative poets globally to English readers. Recent publications include translations from French, Hindi, and Indonesian, featuring renowned authors like Lila Dargaguri and Afresal Malna.
Exploring the Transformative Novel 'The Skunks'
Fiona Warwick's novel 'The Skunks' delves into the complexities of post-college life through the lens of Isabelle's return to her hometown. The story navigates themes of crushes, friendship, and the uncertainties of young adulthood, centered around Isabelle's intriguing fascination with three baby skunks. The novel captures the essence of youthful confusion and the quest for direction.
Joelle McSweeney's Vision in Poetry and Criticism
Joelle McSweeney, a multi-faceted poet, playwright, and critic, is renowned for her dynamic body of work, including 'The Necropastoral'. Her deep engagement with themes of death, personal catastrophe, and environmental concerns infuses her poetry and criticism with a vibrant and thought-provoking quality. With a rich background in English literature and poetry, her contributions have garnered critical acclaim and recognition, including prestigious awards.
Unveiling the Depths of 'Death Styles'
In 'Death Styles', Joelle McSweeney delves into profound reflections on grief and loss, particularly centered around the death of her infant daughter. The collection captures the intense emotional journey of grappling with profound trauma and navigating the complexities of time and survival in the aftermath of such a tragedy. Through evocative language and introspective narratives, 'Death Styles' invites readers into an intimate exploration of sorrow, memory, and the intricate web of human experience.
Exploration of the Human Eye's Complexity
The human eye is discussed as a complex creation, highlighting debates between creationism and evolution. Various models of eyes from different species, like birds, are examined, emphasizing how the eye embodies concepts of creation and evolution. The eye is depicted as a site of contemplation, challenging ideas of a neutral instrument that merely observes.
Journey into the Underworld and Persephone's Role
The podcast delves into the concept of the underworld, drawing parallels to Greek mythology and Persephone's symbolic representation of time and repetition. The idea of writing into hell and exploring themes of history and paradox in poetry are highlighted. The discussion touches on the poet's personal reflections, connecting Persephone's journey to the complexities of personal grief and historical implications.
Significance of Sound and Hearing Loss in Poetry
The significance of sound in poetry and the impact of hearing loss are explored, drawing attention to the poet's personal experience with hearing impairment. The discussion reflects on the unique relationship between sound, syntax, and the process of writing. The poet's hearing loss is intertwined with the creation of poetry, emphasizing the transformative power of sound and its influence on the poetic process.
Today’s guest, poet, playwright, novelist, translator, publisher, editor and critic, Joyelle McSweeney discusses her latest poetry collection Death Styles. She talks about the juxtaposing of “death” and “style” and the seam to the underworld that opens when you do, about style as survival, about writing after and into death, about eyes that spill Art, and ears that make sound, about poetry, performance, prophecy and more. We also do a deep dive into McSweeney’s aesthetics and poetics as exemplified by her landmark book of eco-criticism The Necropastoral: Poetry, Media, Occults.
For the bonus audio archive, McSweeney contributes an almost twenty minute incredible performance from her libretto Pistorius Rex, her operatic and Oedipal reimagining of the trial of Oscar Pistorius (the double-amputee Olympic athlete who murdered his girlfriend). This joins bonus audio from many past guests, from Douglas Kearney to C.A. Conrad to Jorie Graham. To find out about how to subscribe to the bonus audio and the other possible benefits and rewards of joining the Between the Covers community as a listener-supporter, head over to the show’s Patreon page.
Finally, here is the BookShop for today’s conversation.
