An "astounding" (Terrance Hayes) debut collection of poems - Winner of the 2016 National Poetry Series Competition

In this ---powerful debut collection, sam sax explores and explodes the linkages between desire, addiction, and the history of mental health. These brave, formally dexterous poems examine antiquated diagnoses and procedures from hysteria to lobotomy; offer meditations on risky sex; and take up the poet's personal and family histories as mental health patients and practitioners. Ultimately, Madness attempts to build a queer lineage out of inherited language and...

Winner of the 2017 James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets