Over Exposed

by Terri Muuss

In the pages that follow, Muuss brings us close to what we might describe as the secret war, the intimate war, which resides in closed rooms, in seemingly ordinary homes. Yet these poems are written, reader, with such delicacy, such concern for image, for pause, and purpose-for, in fact, beauty. Yes, these poems and prose pieces turn on the beauty of poetry, of what art can accomplish. I bid you open the book. It is a miracle. -- Veronica Golos

Genres: Poetry

136 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Aphra Behn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over Exposed Sat down to read "Over Exposed - a poetic memoir" and thought, "hmmm, how will a poetic memoir work as both poetry and memoir?" I got through the first few pages of some fine poems and put it down. Picked it up again later for more deeply layered poems and prose poems and put it down again. The third time I picked up the book I couldn't put it down. Terri Muuss weaves together a beautiful story of trauma, survival and redemption in style that is wonderfully paced. Her strength is her imagery and ability to mine the fuzzy parts of her memory for the truth. Her words grab you and race you along as she plows forward then steps back to reflect and delve deeper into her own experience. She successfully moves through moments in her past, picking them apart until they achieve a clarity and a resilience. By the end of the story you are uplifted and standing there with her on the other side. A very successful work of cross genre writing that is fresh and exhilarating.
Over Exposed: A Poetic Memoir

[Mary Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry is truth, especially in the hands of Terri Muus. What a gift Over Exposed is. Read it now.

[Deirdre Fagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetic memoir arrived late afternoon today. I opened it shortly thereafter and read a few pages, then read some more, then read while cooking dinner, then retreated with an espresso and read until the end. It is a breathless read and while each poem and prose piece took what I imagine was months or years of attention in crafting, they demanded to be read at once. The writing is gorgeous and painful and aching and bloody and a testament to Muuss’ abilities with language. The story is wrenching and necessary and important and told crisply even while often veiled carefully in gauze. A most admirable accomplishment in writing and stunning testament to Muuss’ life.

[Matt Pasca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As gorgeously crafted as it is vulnerable and honest - a brilliant, haunting and ultimately hopeful journey from dissociation to abundance. Accessible, hard to put down. A true gift.