All the Blood Tethers

by Catherine Sasanov, Rosanna Warren (Contributor)

Book by Sasanov, Catherine

Genres: Poetry

82 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2002

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Sasonov's book illustrates the grotesqueness of Catholicism, both the things that are done in the name of the church and the sacraments/relics that make the religious experience so visceral. I had high hopes for the book, and I do think Sasanov has some amazing turns of phrase, but most of the poems went on longer than they should have, and I would have liked even one departure from the Catholic theme. Her poems about sainthood, particularly Saint Gemma Galgani, are some of the strongest in the book, and the frankness with which she talks about her mother's death is refreshing.

[Aaron Bauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in Catholic mysticism (i.e. relics, miracles performed by saints), you'd probably like this book. I like the poems, but they revolve around a central theme so tightly that they can get a little repetitive.