I don’t review books very often. It feels like a bit of a
conflict of interest because I am so involved in the writing and publishing
business, both as a writer and an editor. So many of the books I’ve read
recently are by people I know, and often people with whom I am lucky to be
friends. But I figure – fuck it – this is my blog, so I think I’m allowed to
post a review if I want, especially of a book as powerful and stunning as
HYSTERIA, a collection of poetry by the talented Stephanie M. Wytovich. Disclosure:
yes, Stephanie is my friend. Yes, I paid for my copy of the book. I was lucky
enough to purchase one of the first 15 copies released during the IYWM author signing at the end of June at Seton Hill University. No, I’m not a poetry
expert by any means. Okay, I think that covers everything…
HYSTERIA is one of those books that gave me chills
in the face of the raw emotion on display. That doesn’t happen very often. I
can think of four books I’ve read in my lifetime that had the same effect, only
two of which weren't even published. I’m still holding out hope for the other two,
especially since the authors have returned to the craft. But I’m digressing.
Probably because nothing I can say will adequately convey what it was that made
this book so moving.
Stephanie is no novice at the craft of writing. According to
her bio she has credits in over 40 different magazines. So while this may be
her first collection published, it is hardly a freshman effort. She’s
clearly spent time studying and honing her craft. And the results are simply
spectacular. There are no wasted words in this collection. And while the poems
are largely written in free-verse, they all have their own distinct structure
and form. Words are not forced into awkward positions, and the images are not
contrived. The power may be raw, but the presentation is masterful.
The theme of this collection is madness. These poems are
like reading transcripts of interviews with patients from the most horrible
institutions you could ever conjure in your darkest nightmares. There is no
comfort or solace to be found here. So if you are looking for justice or a
happy ending, keep searching. Even the satisfaction of retribution is in short
supply. And the few times it does peek through, that retribution might leave
you feeling soiled and ashamed.
There are other sub-themes woven throughout, images and
concepts that recur but never feel repetitive. In no particular order, we see a
lot of physical and sexual violence, physical and psychological torture, twisted
fantasies (or are they more than just imaginings…?) and hopeless despair.
Several poems seem represent their subjects’ cries for release into the peace
of death; such cries largely go unanswered. I can never decide if I pity these
patients, or if they deserve their awful fates. But that is probably the point.
After all, a decision would bring closure, and there really is none to be found
here, even when the subject or narrator of the poem has clearly been killed, whether
by their own hand or someone else’s.
What really sets this collection apart, though, is the
honesty. Stephanie doesn’t mince words, she doesn’t shy away, and she doesn’t
whitewash anything. All the pain and fear, suffering and sadism, is on display
here. Lesser authors might fail to transcend the freak-show that this collection
could so easily have been. But Stephanie’s brutal honesty brings these haunted
souls to vivid life. You may think you want to turn away. You might even sleep
better at night if you do. But you’ll be missing out. This journey into
darkness may not be cathartic, but it is instructive. You’ll learn what it
means to face demons, and you’ll witness how to express the terror that such an
endeavor entails. Despite all the darkness and despair on display, Stephanie
has created beautiful art. Her words seduce even as the subject matter
repulses. This is the kind of poetry that needs to be taught, though I suspect
even the most forward thinking schools will shy away from it. Then again,
that’s the point. HYSTERIA moves beyond the safety of mass appeal. They say there’s
a fine line between madness and genius. Stephanie Wytovich has shown that such
a line isn’t so firm after all, and indeed may be an illusion created to
comfort us when the darkness sets in. I highly recommend that you let her lead
you down these haunted asylum halls.
HYSTERIA by Stephanie M. Wytovich is published by Raw DogScreaming Press and can be purchased from them here: http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/hysteria/
Follow Stephanie’s blog here: http://joinmeinthemadhouse.blogspot.com/
