Harryman, Carla

Animal Instincts: Prose, Plays, Essays

ISBN: 0935074279
Berkeley, CA: This Press, 1989. Limited First Edition. Softcover. Signed by Carla Harryman. “(I HAD WANTED TO BEGIN slowly. A seed cracking next to my ear, slowly. My head sinking deeper into the pillow, mimicking any pressing tone of voice.) The world on the other side of the pillow was flesh. I would never come to the point. Words empty these standings without you three feet away, I remarked inkily, drowning my fingers in ink. The filthy language we spoke yesterday has been replaced. Your silhouette slides out of a trap. That is what was bound to happen. That is, I was bound to a snakelike mental state. The snake stumbled into the necktie’s disregard and I took advantage of this moment to escape. On the path I found myself on then, I didn’t know what condition I would find myself in later. Were these clouds the vapors from a dovetailed sensuality? Or perhaps they signaled annihilation and behind them the piecemeal ramps of various labors. It seemed mutables represented details so a country might be “rendered” by the woodwork. Those not in love claimed the wood was imported but were glad to be there, “for what’s the use.” Then there was an antisurface attacking the smooth, the automatic, the clever, the nice–in the way a filled storage space might be said to be nice. Sadly, one might step into a boat that is docked near a cement walkway where people lounge, watching the replacement of baseball by another, inferior, sport. And float. There is no need to be moved by distant snickering. Explanation has been used up.”--Carla Harryman, pg. 9. Carla Harryman (b. 1952) is an American poet, essayist, and playwright who was a core member of the Language Poetry Movement & is a professor of Creative Writing at Eastern Michigan University. Offered today is the 1989 collection of prose, plays & essays, Animal Instincts. Part social/cultural criticism and commentary, part philosophical essay(s), and part plays, Animal Instincts is an interesting addition to Harryman’s oeuvre, while at the same time being emblematic of her rich prose style. Intensely experimental, intellectually challenging, and delightfully propulsive & fun to read, Animal Instincts is a great & wonderfully rare Harryman collectible! From the collection of Barrett Watten (b. 1948), professor of Creative Writing at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan & foundational member of the Language Poets Movement, with whom we’re honored to be acquainted. Signed in thin blue ink at title page by Carla Harryman. Trade-format softcover. Limited first softcover edition, one in a series of “1000 copies” as stated at colophon. In very fine condition with only minor wear to fine edges, and light smudging/scratching at front and back covers. Very Fine. [Item #9189]

Price: $75.00