Good Grief, the Ground

Margaret Ray's collection of poetry, Good Grief, explores the everyday violences inflicted upon women through personal, political, and national lenses, alternating between dark humor and heart-wrenching honesty. It was selected as the winner of the A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize and showcases Ray's stunning wit and precision.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: BOA Editions, Limited

Margaret Ray's collection of poetry, Good Grief, is a powerful exploration of the societal performance of culture and the daily experiences of life in a woman's body. The book was selected as the winner of the A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize by Stephanie Burt.

Through personal, political, and national lenses, Ray's work interrogates the everyday violences inflicted upon women. The poems move between adolescence and adulthood, exploring themes such as grief, anxiety, queer longing, girlhood, escape from an abusive relationship, and the dangers of lending language to a thing.

Ray's writing is characterized by stunning wit, precision, and attention to detail. She shows us what it is to be human, encompassing the mess of tenderness, darkness, and animosity. The poems are set in the heavy Florida dusk, capturing the essence of late-night swimming pool break-ins, peach juice, and glances across grocery store aisles.

In her introduction to the book, Stephanie Burt describes Ray's poetry as "compelling and necessary." She encourages readers to "come and see, take care, and dive in" to the world of Good Grief. The collection offers a powerful and captivating glimpse into the experiences of women and serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and compassion.

Overall, Good Grief is a remarkable poetry collection that deserves to be widely read and celebrated. Margaret Ray's powerful and insightful words offer a fresh perspective on the experiences of women and shed light on the societal forces that perpetuate violence and oppression.

Weight: 212g
Dimension: 177 x 228 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781950774845