Pilot: Johann the Carousel Horse

by Johannes Goransson

Poetry. PILOT ("JOHANN THE CAROUSEL HORSE") is an assemblage, a book of nursery rhymes gone wrong in translation. Its strange characters, abandoned from other texts, include Lilja, the Pearls of Stockholm and assorted imperiled girls. Here, in Johannes Goransson's glittering exocity, they find a new and beautifully stitched home. Goransson was born and raised in Skane, Sweden, but has lived in the US for many years. He is co-editor of Action Books and has translated the work of Aase Berg, Henry Parland, Ann Jaderlund and other Swedish and Finland Swedish poets. Goransson is also the author of A NEW QUARANTINE WILL TAKE MY PLACE, published by Apostrophe Books in late 2007.

Genres: Poetry

165 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Benjamin Niespodziany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending sequence of this collection is stunning. Love these fragmented blend of fables gone wrong. I was expected more narrative but was pleasantly surprised once we started moving.

I was carsick
the nightingale
was wrecked
I sent a postcard
to America wish
you were here
with a gas mask
and carnations

[Zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I REALLY liked "A New Quarantine..." and I'm also working on a sort of fairy-tale sequence.

The mix of Swedish and English fragments(?), and words run together like "losangelessoft," were interesting, but I wasn't as into this one. Still, there were some brilliant little poems that merit a 3-star review. Below is my favorite, the title poem I suppose:

Pilot ("snag effects"):

I repeat with pig meat
I have blond hair blue eyes
and the crackliest carnation
you've ever dug a shovel
through I have a ribcage
and a stripped woman I hold
with my fire arm and
a shuddered woman I kiss
with my pet mouth

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having no background in Swedish, this was a challenge. Past language barriers, even though I hardly knew what was going on, the word choice and rhythm was so intriguing. Described as "nursery rhymes gone wrong in translation," this collection of poems was by far the strangest and most provoking bit of poetry I've read this year. Some might think the words are disjointed, random, used in a staccato that anyone could replicate, but there's something else going on here... Something else I have to look into.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

pilot's become a new favorite. . .probably one of the most interesting books that i've read lately. . .

[Kyle Muntz · Rating 4 out of 5]

intensely fragmented and faintly evil. not goransson's best, but very good

/

now that i've read aase berg i can really see her influence on this book