It’s really rare to be read capaciously, for one’s work to be presented with a thick sense of its context–and for the reader to make their own idiosyncratic constellations with parts of the work. While seeking something like the truth of the work, reviews should have the fingerprints of their reviewer all over it. At least that’s how I like to read them. Anyway, all the way back in September, Community Mausoleum published Alex Benedict’s essay/review of my 2023 book Fugue & Strike, and I’m finally finding the time to say how gratified I am for the deep attention and insight Benedict brought to it. & I learned a lot more about d.a. levy, Cleveland, and Meagan Day’s “Ode to Sanitation Workers.”

Now I want every review to be this attentive, to include history, biography, politics (and trash), for these to be at play but to not over-determine readings.

P.S.

Benedict is the publisher of receipt-tape books. You should probably check them out.

P.P.S.

Check out this victory march by City of Gaza workers, including sanitation workers.