Nimrods: a fake-punk self-hurt anti-memoir

Nimrods is a book by Kawika Guillermo that explores the challenges of being a newly minted professor and overtired father while dealing with patriarchy, racial pessimism, and imperial arrogance. It is a raw and bold take on the autobiography, mixing autotheory, queer punk poetry, musical ekphrasis, haibun, academic (mis)quotations, and bad dad jokes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In Nimrods, Kawika Guillermo delves into the poignant and absurdities of navigating the role of a newly appointed professor at a Social Justice Institute, while grappling with the haunting remnants of patriarchy, racial pessimism, and imperial arrogance. Embracing the feminist critique's "personal is political" mandate, Guillermo candidly shares his journey, encompassing his upbringing in a chaotic mixed-race family, the untimely death of his uncle from HIV-related illness, which led to his parents' divorce and his mother's relocation to Las Vegas. He also recounts his attempts to escape from American gender, racial, and religious norms by immigrating to South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Canada.

Guillermo's writing style is a captivating blend of prose-poetry, often raw and unapologetic, reflecting on themes of anger, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation. Through his shameless mixtures of autotheory, queer punk poetry, musical ekphrasis, haibun, academic (mis)quotations, and bad dad jokes, he presents a bold and innovative take on the autobiography, challenging traditional forms and subverting expectations. Nimrods is a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the complexities of navigating personal and societal expectations, offering a fresh perspective on the human experience.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478024927