A review by cdmcc
Men in the Off Hours by Anne Carson

2.0

I'll be honest: I didn't love this, and I really can't even say that I liked it all that much. I have an extraordinary amount of respect for Anne Carson, but much of Men in the Off Hours was inaccessible and incoherent to me. There's an interesting threaded commentary here on performance and performative natures (which I think is especially interesting given the title of the collection) but, I think that's also its' downfall: this would've been more impactful to see performed, not read in my head.

That said, when gems such as this:

(from 'Hokusai')

"Anger is a bitter lock.
But you can turn it."

or

(from 'Western Motel')

"Glass is for getaway.
Hot is out there.
You seem to know
the road ends here.

Two suitcases watch you like dogs."


...it's hard not to sit up and notice.