Amanda J. Bradley's debut book of poems takes the reader on an inward journey from a place of disturbance to a recovered equilibrium. These poems probe intense scenarios and emotional states then step back to inquire what sense can be made of them. Delving for a purpose becomes a purpose in itself and ultimately reaffirms a life well examined. -Hopping, skipping and dancing through the labyrinth of love and despair, Bradley creates a fresh figure of triumph through her sensitive, far-reaching poems. The language is both affectionate and stark, gentle and bitter, but always sharp, always...

Poetry. Women's Studies. QUEEN KONG opens with an autobiographical poem chronicling childhood through graduation from college. This not only informs the reader but also infuses subtle meaning throughout the remainder of the book's poems, which are all lyric in nature. It is this subtlety that poignantly pervades the crown section of the book: a collection of hard-hitting feminist poems that Bradley wrote in dialogue with famous feminists across history. QUEEN KONG takes the reader by storm, just like her male counterpart took New York, except QUEEN KONG is a powerful journey for women (and...