Negro Mountain

A cross-genre poetry collection named Negro Mountain, written by C. S. Giscombe, explores the idea of poetic voice and its relationship to history, biology, shamanism, and racial memory. The book considers the concept of location as a practice and examines the impurities and ambivalences of various figures to explore what languages "count" or "dont count" as poetry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A captivating cross-genre poetry collection that delves into the intricate realm of poetic voice, while simultaneously exploring the profound connections between history, biology, shamanism, and the intricate tapestry of racial memory. Within the final section of Negro Mountain, C. S. Giscombe offers a thought-provoking perspective, suggesting that the mountain serves as a default point of contemplation for the Commonwealth. Named after an historical incident involving a Black man's involvement in a conflict against Indigenous peoples during the eighteenth century, this mountain casts a haunting shadow throughout the collection. It manifests itself subtly through accounts of visions, reimaginings of geography, testimonials about the natural world, and speculative musings on race, sexuality, and monstrosity. These poems not only engage with the concept of location but also perceive it as an ongoing practice, a continuous act of situating oneself within the world.

The book skillfully weaves through a diverse range of thought processes, delving into the complexities of poetic voice and its potential to challenge established notions. Giscombe employs a gallery of figures to examine their impurities and ambivalences, thereby shedding light on the criteria that determine whether a language qualifies as poetry. Through this exploration, he reveals that poetry possesses a visionary essence, but it is also characterized by an inquisitive and exploratory nature.

Negro Mountain serves as a testament to the power of poetry to transcend boundaries and ignite the imagination. By seamlessly blending historical, biological, shamanistic, and racial themes, Giscombe has created a collection that invites readers to explore the depths of human experience and engage in meaningful dialogue. This book is a testament to the enduring relevance of poetry as a means of capturing the complexities of the human condition and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history and collective consciousness.

Dimension: 241 x 165 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226829715