Mass for Shut-Ins

In her collection "Mass for Shut-Ins," Mary-Alice Daniel explores the intersection of African and Western mythic systems, animistic traditions, and modern rituals, creating a cosmology powered by nightmare fuel and animating an odd organism with unhinged thoughts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

The 117th volume of the Yale Series of Younger Poets, titled "Mass for Shut-Ins," delves into the profound experiences of Mary-Alice Daniel as she navigates the complexities of tricontinental culture shock and her unique position within multiple worlds. In this captivating collection, Daniel harnesses a rich tapestry of animistic, Islamic, and syncretic Christian traditions from her native Nigeria, unleashing potent incantations, rituals, and spells that evoke the electric energy of St. Elmo's fire. With a fierce determination, she confronts the human capacity for creating hell on earth, employing her poetic prowess to summon powerful forces that challenge the status quo.

"Against humans creating hell on earth, Daniel draws on animistic, Islamic, and syncretic Christian traditions from her native Nigeria to unleash potent incantations, rituals, and spells, electric as St. Elmos fire. Buckle up." -Rae Armantrout, judge

Within the pages of "Mass for Shut-Ins," an ill-omened universe emerges, where darkness reigns perpetually, illuminated by absurd moons. Poets embark on a journey through dreamscapes, hellscapes, and lurid landscapes, crafting poems that map the speculative realms of spiritual warfare. This collection operates as a controlled chaos, fueled by nightmare fuel, animating an utterly peculiar organism—a cosmology cobbled together from scripture, superstition, mass media, and mad science. Horrific, holy, and unholy, these pages overflow with the unhinged, intrusive thoughts that consume us all deep into the night.

Through her poetic prowess, Daniel explores the intricate intersections of identity, culture, and spirituality, challenging the boundaries between the known and unknown. She weaves together a tapestry of languages, rhythms, and imagery, creating a rich and immersive experience that transports readers to the borders of imagination and reality. "Mass for Shut-Ins" is a testament to Daniel's talent as a poet and her ability to harness the power of words to evoke profound emotions and provoke thought.

In conclusion, "Mass for Shut-Ins" is a captivating and thought-provoking collection that invites readers to explore the depths of human experience and the complexities of the world. Through her powerful poetry, Mary-Alice Daniel challenges the status quo, unearths hidden truths, and offers a glimpse into the uncharted territories of the human psyche. This collection is a must-read for anyone seeking to expand their horizons and delve into the realm of poetic exploration.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300267990