Crush Paperback – 15 April 2005

Oh my God! What a lovely piece of art and literature. Trust me, if you are into poems and all, this book is worth your buck

I've been a fan of Siken for some time now and I simply had to buy this book. The book is awkwardly sized but apart from that, I love it. It's poetry so whether or not you appreciate it is entirely personal.

Description says 320 pages. My copy has 60 pages. I paid so much to get such a flimsy book. That's what you get for shopping on Amazon.

“Crush” by Richard Siken is a chapbook of poems that work perfectly together. What is it like to be a boy that falls for another boy? They both love each other, but they aren’t supposed to voice it. All set against a backdrop of hallucinatory dreams, obsession, maybe murder, & a crushing world none of us really fit in. Siken has a truly great way of creating images with his sometimes violent, sometimes beautiful, & sometimes both words. The poems also feel like a serial, asking you to devour them in one sitting. & then read them again. I’ll definitely read again. 💜“I Had a Dream About You” is probably the poem I like best, though “You Are Jeff” is the poem I’ll continue to think about.Also, from Louise Glück’s forward, “And the triumph of ‘Crush’ is that it writhes and blazes while at the same time holding the reader utterly: ‘sustaining interest’ seems far too mild a term for this effect. What holds is sheer art, despite the apparent abandon.”

Best poetry book I've ever read, raw emotions and evocative read. Richard Siken is an author unlike any other. I haven't found a poem of his I don't like. Incredibly inspirational and sometimes I have to sit with a poem for a bit and process everything. Best kind of poetry, I keep crush in my handbag and literally take it everywhere with me. Absolutely incredible book.

I was deeply touched by this, nothing more to add*If you like this, you'll enjoy "Physical" by Andrew McMillan(?), one of the best poetry books I've ever read

Poesie rabbiose e disperate. Di solito preferisco poeti più "gentili", ma proprio l'impeto e la sincerità di Siken me l'hanno fatto amare. Felicissima dell'acquisto.

Los poemas se sienten como un golpe al estómago y un beso en la boca. Also, la portada es increíble (!!!), demuestra de qué trata la colección. ¿Beso o golpe?