Ishmael Mask

Poems that explore the instability of identity through fictional and religious characters, such as Ishmael Mask by Charles Kell, invite us to witness humanity in its barest forms, using inspirations from the Bible, Heraclitus, Melville, Guyotat, and Tomaž Šalamun.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Autumn House Press

Through a captivating blend of fictional and religious characters, Charles Kell explores the intricate and fragile nature of identity in his remarkable collection, Ishmael Mask. This literary masterpiece weaves together the captivating journeys and introspective inner lives of a diverse cast of wanderers, including Ishmael, the son of Hagar, Melville's Ishmael, and Pierre from The Ambiguities to Pierre Guyotat. Each poem skillfully peels away the layers of masks, inviting readers to bear witness to the raw essence of humanity. The imagery of Captain Ahab's leg, Ishmael's arm, and Pierre's severed head serves as poignant reminders of the universal themes of hunger and hope. Kell's profound inspiration, drawn from the Bible, Heraclitus, Melville, Guyotat, and Tomaž Šalamun, is skillfully transformed into a tapestry of dreamscapes that are both dazzling and haunting.

In Ishmael Mask, Charles Kell reminds us of the inherent vulnerability of identity. Kell's collection serves as a captivating collage, showcasing the diverse journeys and introspective inner lives of various wanderers, such as Ishmael, the son of Hagar, Melville's Ishmael, and Pierre from The Ambiguities to Pierre Guyotat. Each poem skillfully unveils the masks, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the raw essence of humanity. The imagery of Captain Ahab's leg, Ishmael's arm, and Pierre's severed head serves as poignant reminders of universal themes like hunger and hope. Kell's profound inspiration, drawn from diverse sources such as the Bible, Heraclitus, Melville, Guyotat, and Tomaž Šalamun, is skillfully transformed into a mesmerizing tapestry of dreamscapes that are both dazzling and haunting.

Through a captivating blend of fictional and religious characters, Charles Kell delves into the intricate and fragile nature of identity in his remarkable collection, Ishmael Mask. This literary masterpiece weaves together the captivating journeys and introspective inner lives of a diverse cast of wanderers, including Ishmael, the son of Hagar, Melville's Ishmael, and Pierre from The Ambiguities to Pierre Guyotat. Each poem skillfully peels away the layers of masks, inviting readers to bear witness to the raw essence of humanity. The imagery of Captain Ahab's leg, Ishmael's arm, and Pierre's severed head serves as poignant reminders of universal themes like hunger and hope. Kell's profound inspiration, drawn from a diverse range of sources, including the Bible, Heraclitus, Melville, Guyotat, and Tomaž Šalamun, is skillfully transformed into a mesmerizing tapestry of dreamscapes that are both dazzling and haunting.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781637680704