The Acolyte

by Nancy E. Hightower

Nancy Hightower's The Acolyte is a poetry collection which explores myth and ritual through a surreal retelling of Biblical stories and cultural movements. It includes the 2014 Rhysling nominated poem, "A Virtuous Woman," which is available in the 2014 Rhysling Anthology. "In The Acolyte, Hightower reimagines the lives of biblical figures, particularly women, so that they stand out in unexpected beauty and strangeness. Vivid, uncompromising, and saturated with spiritual longing, these poems offer both a critique of our old readings of the Bible, and a passionate series of new ones." - Sofia Samatar, author of A Stranger in Olondria, and winner of a Crawford Award (2014) and a Campbell Award (2014) Nancy Hightower received a PhD in English/Creative Writing and was previously a full time instructor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she taught classes such as Writing for Digital Media, the Grotesque, and Writing for the Visual Arts. She has published short fiction and poetry in journals such as The New York Quarterly, storySouth, Gargoyle, Sundog Lit, Up the Staircase Quarterly, and Word Riot. Her novel, Elementari Rising (2013) received a starred review in Library Journal, and was named Debut of the Month. Kinds of Leaving, her short story collection currently under submission, was shortlisted for the Flann O'Brien Award for Innovative Fiction in 2014. Two stories from that collection recently won first place and honorable mention in Prick of the Spindle's Open Fiction Competition No. 3, which was judged by Michael Martone. Her poem, "A Virtuous Women" was nominated for a 2014 Rhysling Award. She reviews science fiction and fantasy for The Washington Post and was featured in the 100 Top Creatives article in Origin Magazine. She is currently working with Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky) on a collection of essays about digital storytelling."

Genres: Poetry

60 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2015

About the author

Nancy Hightower's eco-fantasy novel, Elementarí Rising, is now out in both paperback and Kindle editions 2013 from Pink Narcissus Press. She also publishes short speculative fiction and poetry which reframes mythical narratives.

She has also co-authored, along with Carrie Ann Baade, Cute and Creepy, an art book, and is one of the art columnists for Weird Fiction Review.

Reviews

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief review now: this is an amazing collection of poetry on biblical characters and events. It brings new light and depth to each story while remaining true to the original. This is a collection I will read a second and a third time (at least) and review in full on Amazing Stories.

This book has been nominated for the 2016 Elgin Award.

[ECH · Rating 5 out of 5]

*wide-eyed stare*

Second reading: Ok so I don't think I am as innately drawn to the subject matter as last time. However the rhythms still work for me and I found a different poem inspirational than last time. I wish I could figure out what it is about these poems that I like. Then I would do better at finding other poems like it. Oh and warnings for everything.

[Kelly Cressio-Moeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

With sharp perception, empathy, and insightful skill, Nancy Hightower’s “The Acolyte” is a collection of what I call personal Biblical persona poems, taking everything known about time-told Bible stories and turning them on their head — the darkest themes yet fully accessible and compelling, gorgeous imagery and turns paired with brutal truths. Each well-crafted, highly creative poem deserves its place here. A few standouts I will return to again and again are “Drought”, “Flood”, “Jericho”, and “She” – so many more in this brave and beautiful book.

[Octavia Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poetry that focuses on retelling Bible stories in vivid little snapshots. There's a strong focus on women, which is appreciated, and underlying themes of expectation and of absence.

The language here is really beautiful, though I think it faltered occasionally when encompassing the odd reference to other (future) occurrences or references. The comparison to Grendel, for instance, smacked me right out of the "Virtuous Woman" poem, as the word "Grendel" comes with imagery (with environmental imagery, specifically) that doesn't fit with the collection as a whole. Otherwise it was remarkably consistent.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review from Grumptroll:

https://grumptroll.com/2016/03/03/joh...

[Stephanie Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Hightower's poetry is as rich as the stories she draws on, with same sweep from the personal to the epic.