Bareback Nightfall

by Joshua Escobar

Poetry. LGBTQIA Studies. "Joshua Escobar's BAREBACK NIGHTFALL is a daring collection that works as a performance art piece acted out on the page for the reader. These poems, set in alternating coasts, written in different voices and across strained dialogue, follow the relationship between DJ Ashtrae and Doctor Electronic. Two larger than life figures that live in the world of cognates and false cognates, a world in code-switch. In the tradition of Rodrigo Toscano's Collapsible Theatre Poetics, Escobar further captures the schizophrenic nature of existing in the liminal space where anything is acceptable from extreme ecstasy to abuses of power. Here is one of our most vital new voices in Latinx Avant-Garde literature."—Natalie Scenters-Zapico

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2020

Reviews

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is one of the weirder collections of poetry I’ve read in my life. I came across it on the internet but I don’t remember how. I think I was searching for speculative, theatrical poetics as I wanted something in line with the book I am drafting. When it came in the mail and I cracked it open and saw the wonky typesetting I thought it might be a challenge to really get into it. But I was surprised by how easy it came.

There’s a plot to this book. There’s a really vulnerable, tender heart to the poems though it is hiding shyly behind the fantastical elements. Words/lines don’t always follow each other’s logic which requires me to stop often and reframe my understanding. I’m not sure if it’s as simple as 5 stars, I think this book exists very deliberately on its own terms. It has its own language in which it is meticulously constructed, and can’t be rated. At least by me. But more people should read it, and more people should write books like this. All love to the gang at Noemi Press.

[Erik Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

"End violence against piñatas"

[Jessica]

“Dear DJ / I stole your / phone / charger since / your soul is / mine. / Love, / the Devil.”