RaveNew York Journal of Books\"... you’ll find this amazingly deft intertextuality of various traditions, which is then continued throughout the collection with a chilling interplay of whiteness and blackness. And yet, such analysis seems too sterile, too safe in light of this brilliant book ... Of course if you miss out on Jericho Brown’s powerful, delightful inventions here in The Tradition, that would be a tremendous shame ... phenomenal ...\
Ilya Kaminsky
PositiveNew York Journal of Books\"Ilya Kaminsky’s second book of poetry, Deaf Republic, contains some of the most exquisite lines you’ll find in contemporary poetry, lines that vibrate with soft-spoken yet urgent, ethical anxiety ... But what about the drawn hand-gestures found in the pages of the book? Their purpose seems questionable, especially since the drawings are accompanied by English subtitles. Unlike the rest of the book, which is filled with sharp inquiries into the various depths of silence and speech, these drawings feel like an afterthought, tacked on ... The book could have done without these drawings of hand signs and without some of the other more heavy-handed moments ... brilliant ...\
Thom Gunn, Ed. Clive Wilmer
RaveNew York Journal of Books\"A new must-have for all LGBTQIA libraries everywhere! But it’s not meant to stay on the shelf, no. This new selection, edited by Thom Gunn’s friend Clive Wilmer, has been thoughtfully designed to be held and read, studied and enjoyed, page by page. It doesn’t pretend to be comprehensive or definitive; instead, it’s a splendid introduction to Gunn’s poetry, with a smart sampling of his work over the many years, which slowly brings the reader into Gunn’s large and restless world ... this thoughtfully selected span of Gunn’s poetry is not only an immensely pleasurable read but also a master-class in poetic form. Whether queer poets know it or not, Thom Gunn opened doors for all of us reading and writing today. Lucky for us, this new selection of poetry opens a door into his world—and what a world it is.\
