Burnt Mountain by Emily Wilson features lush, dense, sonic verse that pushes the boundaries of language and coherence. Alliteration, assonance, rhyme, and free association take precedence over narrative or imagistic clarity in this collection, and at its very best it rises to a musical fever pitch that almost sounds sublime.

Burnt Mountain is not for those averse to challenging verse, but if you enjoy the jangling stanzas of Edgar Allen Poe, the esoteric music of W.S. Merwin, or the iconoclastic bombacity of e.e. Cummings this book may be perfect for you.

Thank you University of Iowa Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. First of all, three stars means I liked it. For some three stars isn’t good. But for my ratings it is. This was unique. I do not usually read poetry like it. I liked that it was unique and different for me. I am grateful to have read it.

Thank you Netgalley, University of Iowa Press, and AUTHOR for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a lovely little lyrical romp through the woods. There were poems about so many different kinds of plants! It feels like a community, growing and working with each other to thrive. Even a broken rock can be important for the moss growing on it. So beautiful, and a nice cozy read to curl up with on a rainy day.