Magnificent Errors

Magnificent Errors is a collection of poems by Sheryl Luna that celebrate the beauty, resiliency, and hope of people living on the margins, including immigrants in a detention camp, meth addicts, homeless individuals, and people with mental health challenges. Luna's own journey to recovery from childhood abuse and mental illness illuminates how healing is possible. The poems are lyrical, narrative, and often highly personal, exploring what it means to be the "other" and how to cope with difference and illness. They venerate characters who overcome difficulties, including ostracism and degradation, and show that people who live outside of the mainstream in poverty are survivors. The poems explore artistic creativity as a means of redemption and offer hope that grace and restoration do indeed follow.

Format: Hardback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2022
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Magnificent Errors is a captivating collection of poems that delves into the profound connection between mental health challenges and the emergence of beauty, resilience, and hope. In 2005, Sheryl Luna made a striking debut in the world of poetry with her debut collection, Pity the Drowned Horses. This remarkable work quickly established itself as a classic of border and Southwest literature, with its central focus situated in and around El Paso, Texas. Now, with the publication of her third collection, Magnificent Errors, Luna extends her poetic gaze to those living on the margins, encompassing cultural, socioeconomic, psychological, and personal aspects. Through her poignant and evocative poems, Luna celebrates the remarkable ability of individuals to recover and thrive, even in the face of adversity.

One of the central themes of Magnificent Errors is the revelation that individuals who suffer and experience injustice are often characterized by their inherent beauty and awe-inspiring qualities. Luna's poems reflect on a diverse range of characters, including immigrants in a detention camp, a meth addict, a homeless individual, and someone on food stamps. These individuals are portrayed with tenderness and empathy, highlighting their resilience and strength in the face of hardship. Luna's exploration of the voices of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD, as well as poets, visual artists, and individuals living in a mental health community setting, adds depth and richness to her collection.

The author's personal journey to recovery from childhood abuse and mental illness serves as a powerful testament to the possibility of healing. Luna's poems intertwine her own experiences with those of her characters, shedding light on the complexities of mental illness and the transformative power of compassion and kindness. The poems in Magnificent Errors are lyrical, narrative, and often deeply personal, delving into the experiences of being the "other" and navigating the challenges of difference and illness. They honor characters who have overcome obstacles such as ostracism and degradation, showcasing their unwavering spirit and determination.

The collection also explores artistic creativity as a means of redemption and healing. Luna's poems evoke a sense of wonder and awe through their fresh and surprising language, inviting readers into the experiences of marginalization. By sharing these remarkable poems, Luna offers hope and inspiration to those who may be struggling with their own mental health challenges. Magnificent Errors serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of poetry in capturing the essence of human experience.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268201814