Transverse

by Lindsay Choi

Transverse weaves between languages and forms, cultivating the questions and lacunae that emerge in their encounter. In the three parts that make up the book, music, mathematics, philosophical logic, and lyric convention come in and out of relation to press upon questions of form and meaning-making, and attend to the moments when coherence appears to take place or dissolve. Following sonic and visual echos, practices and plays upon citation, Transverse traces and distorts logics of allegory, repetition, and representation, moving towards an inquiry into the nature of our encounter with and recognition of the world.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

small book finished in one sitting at a bookstore but also one of the most intriguing books i've come across def closer to an artist book than anything else in my opinion i cant afford this book rn but i will be coming back when my paycheck comes in 😁

[kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

poetry + math = oh you know

I recline in bed and listen to "Piano Phase;" I find myself sore and battered from the day's harvest of slights, I foster a pet analogy: that the music mimes mismatching lexicons in constant, amoebic process. After all, is synchronization not to be thought of as an act of engulfing.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slim book but by no means a thin one — there is so much in here to puzzle over, it is deep, introspective to the point of overindulgence sometimes, but I find myself walking away with a better appreciation for the beauty of language. There’s very much a playing with language feeling in this, a kind of chewing over phrases and dissecting them from all different angles, a lot of little moments of “aha!” and at the same time this is such a sparse novel, almost the kind of outline or stage setting for one, I wish it was something we could read in class and hear everyone’s different interpretation of the images or instruction that come to mind. I sometimes wish there was more specificity, more concrete details and feelings to work with, but in a sense every word in this is important, the way it’s laid out, the possible meaning of all the symbols and the very direct relationship setting implied. There’s also a “found” element to this book, with so many quotes and voices from other writings (took away some enjoyment for me, tbh) but overall, something to meditate on, savor, just a neat literary experiment with so many double entendres and *arrangement* of words on the page, the most “lyrical” thing I’ve come across in a long time. Hella neat, Lindsay!

[A C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll keep my review brief. This work of poetry taught me three things:

1) Quotes/sayings of others may be studied and funneled through poetry, reminding us poetry is more than just a personal expression of ourselves but also a medium to help us study the words of others.

2) Our experience of words is rarely in one language. This work reminded me that throughout my daily life, I often encounter several languages together--that nevertheless (working together), provide me a unified poetic experience.

3) Poetry extends beyond words, happening among numbers and other symbols.

This work of poetry didn't feel like just an exercise in experimental poetry but a healthy challenge and reminder that the norm of poetry in verse and words is not the end all be all of poetry.

I enjoyed what I learned from this work, and look forward to rereading it throughout the years.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A work of art, full of references and math and language and music, that surely went well over my head, but I relished the experience.

[Rylee Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

don’t just read it. listen to it. one day i will understand what’s going on. that’s beautiful :,).

[in8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://5cense.com/24/1182.htm

[isra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 💫

[AJ Lonski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abstraction of abstraction. Really cool :)