Little Wild

by Curtis LeBlanc

Little Wild explores the performance of masculinity in contemporary Canada, with a focus on how toxic masculinity relates to mental health, aggression, substance abuse and crises of identity. Through the reimagining of family histories and personal experiences, the poems in this collection exact a representation of a young man in conflict with outdated ideals of virility, struggling to redefine himself on his own terms. Little Wild is a provocative and revealing portrayal of masculinity as it is understood—and misunderstood—in a contemporary and ever-changing context. The poems are as powerful and unsettling as they are stark, combining unsentimental imagery of the natural world with first-person commentary, while exploring narratives of boyhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2018

Reviews

[df parizeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for those of us who have spent significant time in Northern Alberta, it is easy to forget that there exists tenderness and vulnerability amidst the hockey, oil, and blue collars. LeBlanc poetry maps the softer edges of Prairie life with refreshing openness and heartfelt specificity.

In particular, I appreciate the way LeBlanc tackles masculinity in these poems. Whereas others may choose to lean on parody and hyperbole, LeBlanc instead approaches the topic with honesty amd understanding.