Monster Fashion

by Jarret Keene

Pop culture meets and mates with poetic formalism: whether he's writing about Captain America, Godzilla, abandoned babies, or hangovers, Keene's work is unexpected, smart and funny. Where Wile E. Coyote pays homage to George Santayana...or is it the other way around?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0916397777
• ISBN13: 9780916397777
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Manic D Press
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Stunning Variety of Verse

This book is utterly amazing. Keene somehow manages to synthesize completely autonomous universes through which the reader is invited to wander; the end result is a vast array of experiences that get better with each visit. The sheer versatility of Keene's talent is delightful to behold. He is one of those truly gifted writers who can write psuedo-acid trip free verse couplets ("RPM") one minute, gritty, reality-oriented recountings of proctological probing ("Scoped") the next, and still come back with darkly irreverent analyses of Wile E. Coyote's misguided efforts, all without missing a beat. What you get with Keene is a voice that is free of any trace of pretension, dishonesty, or fear; he's a monster talent. Read this book.

Kicks/Rocks

Keene's poetry is the transfusion contemporary American poetry needed. He joins the ranks of the great ones like Jim Daniels, Charles H. Webb, Denise Duhamel, Ron Koertge, and yes, even Charles "The Buk" Bukowski. Highly recommended, highly contagious.

Fashion for all seasons

"Stop, drop, and roll won't help you in Hell." It won't help you with this collection of poems either. Whether he's writing about Frankenstein jeans, uninvited monster guests, or lizards living in your hair, Jarret's writing scorches the page. I was literally sweating in places I didn't realize you could sweat when I read his vivid description of the Lion Pose in "The Yoganaut." Aha, now you're interested. When's the last time you read a poem that mentioned the Red Skull? That's what I thought. Check out his hangover remedy too. Reading Monster Fashion will not condem you to Hell. But it's a start.

Poetry For the People

This collection of poetry reads like a Kevin Smith movie, Kevin Smith is the first thing that came to mind when I read this collection of poetry, Keene is fascinating with his ability to capture pop culture. The intellectual at any level will not be disappointed with this selection. Whether you agree with Keene or not, the man is brilliant. However, more importantly than the ability to choose themes common to a generation, Keene writes poems that come from the heart, if you haven't read "Gifted Students", then you have missed out on a spectacular display of emotion. This poet has a great sense of why poetry is in a lacluster state right now, and has a genuine love for the art of poetry. As cheesy as it sounds, this book has something for everybody, and Jarret Keene assures the reader that modern poetry does have something to offer the canon of poetry. Who knows, maybe we will see Jarret Keene in the Norton Anthology of poetry?

Gargantuan Appetities

I've been a big fan of Jarret Keene's poetry for many years now. He is possessed of a monster appetite for all things poetry. His poems entertain, awe, amaze, illuminate the human condition through high-energy, zinger-ized language. This is the kind of book you can read, and re-read, keep close to your heart. It is also the kind of book you can buy for your friends, or get on the phone and read individual poems to your friends. Bring it to a party, share the wit and humor. I highly recommend it.