Insult to the Brain

Nicola Vulpe's Insult to the Brain is a collection of poems that explore the final moments of some of the last century's finest poets, from the gas-seeped muck of the Somme to a tiny apartment in Buenos Aires, and a hundred times and places in between. Vulpe writes with clarity, kindness, and humor about our common fate, bringing us closer to the fragile core of our humanity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 130 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2019
Publisher: Guernica Editions,Canada

Winner of the prestigious Fred Cogswell Award for Excellence in Poetry, Nicola Vulpe's Insult to the Brain takes readers on a captivating journey through time and space, immersing them in the final moments of some of the greatest poets of the 20th century. From the gruesome battlefields of the Somme to the cramped confines of a Buenos Aires apartment, from the hidden depths of an undisclosed prison yard in Iran to a myriad of other locations, Vulpe's work transports us to join these remarkable individuals in their poignant and often harrowing final moments.

Vulpe's poetry is a tapestry of emotions, ranging from horrific and tragic to ordinary and silly, and even absurd. With a minimalist's eye for detail and a poet's heart for compassion, she writes unflinchingly about our common fate, illuminating the fragile core of our humanity. Whether it is through her dedication to Émile Verhaeren, who was tragically killed by a crowd who adored him, her lament for Forough Farrokhzad, who sacrificed her life to avoid a school bus, or her politically charged poem about death and his kin for Tal Almallouhi, who disappeared into a Syrian prison and remains uncertain about her fate, Vulpe's words resonate with clarity, kindness, and even humor.

Through her poetry, Vulpe invites us to reflect on the complexities of life, death, and the human experience. She challenges us to consider the choices we make and the consequences they have on ourselves and others. She reminds us of the shared humanity that binds us all, even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances.

Insult to the Brain is a testament to the power of poetry to transcend time and space, to connect people across cultures and generations, and to shed light on the darker aspects of human existence. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of words, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope and beauty to be found.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 204 x 151 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771833769