Vice. - Review - book reviews

American Visions, Oct, 1999 by Denolyn Carroll

Vice by Ai (W.W. Norton & Co. 1999. $25, hardcover)--In this collection of 17 new poems and works from five earlier books, Al continues her barefoot journey through the conscience of our times. Of African-American, Asian-American and Native-American heritage, she presents multicultural pieces of national and international significance. Consider the titles "Twenty-Year Marriage," "Cuba, 1962," "Child Beater," "The Gilded Man," "Riot Act," "Hoover, Edgar J.," and "Sleeping Beauty." In topics, tones and images, this poet's no-holds barred style rubs your nose in the mud. Referred to as "the foremost poet of urban terror," Ai speaks through the cracks for all the troubled souls.

Denolyn Carroll is a freelance writer and editor in New York City. She also lectures on writing and editing at Pace University. Her last article for American Visions, "Premium Fare," appeared in the August/September 1999 issue.