Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Brilliant!, 05 May 2002
One of the best books I've read in ages, dark, trippy, and laugh-out-loud funny as well. The illustrations are also cool. If you like Kathy Acker's work, get this. If you've never read her stuff, this is a good starting point.

Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Brilliant!, 05 May 2002
One of the best books I've read in ages, dark, trippy, and laugh-out-loud funny as well. The illustrations are also cool. If you like Kathy Acker's work, get this. If you've never read her stuff, this is a good starting point.

Great!, 29 Dec 1998
If you're on the lookout for a for an unconventional, surreal, thoughtful, shocking, hilarious, crude, sensitive, and generally disconcerting novel/literary analysis/ treatise/social commentary, check out Acker's _Don Quixote_ and you won't be disappointed.

Reading and digesting Acker's work can occassionally feel strenuous...this is due to the sheer unconventionality of the novel, but the end result yeilds (often hilarious) new insight and is always worth the effort. The piece is a unique blend of politics and fantasy that is highly entertaining and never mainstream. Highly reccomended.

Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Brilliant!, 05 May 2002
One of the best books I've read in ages, dark, trippy, and laugh-out-loud funny as well. The illustrations are also cool. If you like Kathy Acker's work, get this. If you've never read her stuff, this is a good starting point.

Great!, 29 Dec 1998
If you're on the lookout for a for an unconventional, surreal, thoughtful, shocking, hilarious, crude, sensitive, and generally disconcerting novel/literary analysis/ treatise/social commentary, check out Acker's _Don Quixote_ and you won't be disappointed.

Reading and digesting Acker's work can occassionally feel strenuous...this is due to the sheer unconventionality of the novel, but the end result yeilds (often hilarious) new insight and is always worth the effort. The piece is a unique blend of politics and fantasy that is highly entertaining and never mainstream. Highly reccomended.

Not quite up there with Delany's best, but still very good., 24 Jul 2007
Although not one of his most critically acclaimed works, this is still a personal favourite amongst Delany's novels. The city of Tethys on Triton is an excellent venture of speculative sociology and provides a strong backdrop for the story. As ever, with Delany, themes of sexuality are prevalent too; the main character being a former male prostitute. Coming after the loose and rambling Dhalgren, Triton also represented something of a return to the tight plotting of his earlier books. Although not nearly as much of a rollercoaster ride as the likes of Babel 17 or Nova, we're treated to a story of interplanetary intrigue, mixed in with a more personal relationship story, and a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion to both. An enjoyable read throughout.

My first intro to Delany - loved it, and will re-read., 10 Aug 1998
It seems with Delany that you either understand him, and he becomes your favorite author, or you completely don't get it and are repulsed by all of his works. This was the first book I read by Delany -- since them I've read Dhalgren (what an awesome book) and the Neveryona series, and a bunch of his earlier works. The setting, Triton, was both believable and extremely surreal. The main character, though somewhat shallow... is absolutely fascinating and fascinatingly dense. This book is full of political, social, sexual and scientific commentary (as with all his later works)... I don't know what it was about it, but I personally couldn't put it down and stayed up all night reading it, and can't wait to re-read it. This is a beautiful and fascinating work, but not for everyone.

An intriquing character study, 06 Apr 1998
An intriquing character study - Delany puts you in the mind of his protagonist, and places his protagonist in an entirely plausible world (not just in the sense of planet), weird tho it be. All leavened with the cultural, philosphical etc. speculations and dialectics - many about sex of course - for which he is known. The actual sex is restrained, however (Thanks, SR!) Much more accessible than Dhalgren, tho I do not claim to understand all that is to be found or extracted from Triton. Enjoy!

Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Brilliant!, 05 May 2002
One of the best books I've read in ages, dark, trippy, and laugh-out-loud funny as well. The illustrations are also cool. If you like Kathy Acker's work, get this. If you've never read her stuff, this is a good starting point.

Great!, 29 Dec 1998
If you're on the lookout for a for an unconventional, surreal, thoughtful, shocking, hilarious, crude, sensitive, and generally disconcerting novel/literary analysis/ treatise/social commentary, check out Acker's _Don Quixote_ and you won't be disappointed.

Reading and digesting Acker's work can occassionally feel strenuous...this is due to the sheer unconventionality of the novel, but the end result yeilds (often hilarious) new insight and is always worth the effort. The piece is a unique blend of politics and fantasy that is highly entertaining and never mainstream. Highly reccomended.

Not quite up there with Delany's best, but still very good., 24 Jul 2007
Although not one of his most critically acclaimed works, this is still a personal favourite amongst Delany's novels. The city of Tethys on Triton is an excellent venture of speculative sociology and provides a strong backdrop for the story. As ever, with Delany, themes of sexuality are prevalent too; the main character being a former male prostitute. Coming after the loose and rambling Dhalgren, Triton also represented something of a return to the tight plotting of his earlier books. Although not nearly as much of a rollercoaster ride as the likes of Babel 17 or Nova, we're treated to a story of interplanetary intrigue, mixed in with a more personal relationship story, and a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion to both. An enjoyable read throughout.

My first intro to Delany - loved it, and will re-read., 10 Aug 1998
It seems with Delany that you either understand him, and he becomes your favorite author, or you completely don't get it and are repulsed by all of his works. This was the first book I read by Delany -- since them I've read Dhalgren (what an awesome book) and the Neveryona series, and a bunch of his earlier works. The setting, Triton, was both believable and extremely surreal. The main character, though somewhat shallow... is absolutely fascinating and fascinatingly dense. This book is full of political, social, sexual and scientific commentary (as with all his later works)... I don't know what it was about it, but I personally couldn't put it down and stayed up all night reading it, and can't wait to re-read it. This is a beautiful and fascinating work, but not for everyone.

An intriquing character study, 06 Apr 1998
An intriquing character study - Delany puts you in the mind of his protagonist, and places his protagonist in an entirely plausible world (not just in the sense of planet), weird tho it be. All leavened with the cultural, philosphical etc. speculations and dialectics - many about sex of course - for which he is known. The actual sex is restrained, however (Thanks, SR!) Much more accessible than Dhalgren, tho I do not claim to understand all that is to be found or extracted from Triton. Enjoy!

Right ho!, 13 Apr 1999
Huh? I don't get it. Pirate girls are cool though. Maybe if I were a woman I could swallow this book whole then spit it back out, transform myself, die, turn into a rat and all kinds of groovy stuff. I guess liked it anyway.

Breaking all literary rules may not be so good, 19 Mar 1998
I realize that it is the 90's; however, I'm quite disappointed at the constant use of offensive language, sex and dream-state illusions which depict drug use. Credit has to be given to Kathy because she accomplished to involve her audience and upset some of us.

Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Brilliant!, 05 May 2002
One of the best books I've read in ages, dark, trippy, and laugh-out-loud funny as well. The illustrations are also cool. If you like Kathy Acker's work, get this. If you've never read her stuff, this is a good starting point.

Great!, 29 Dec 1998
If you're on the lookout for a for an unconventional, surreal, thoughtful, shocking, hilarious, crude, sensitive, and generally disconcerting novel/literary analysis/ treatise/social commentary, check out Acker's _Don Quixote_ and you won't be disappointed.

Reading and digesting Acker's work can occassionally feel strenuous...this is due to the sheer unconventionality of the novel, but the end result yeilds (often hilarious) new insight and is always worth the effort. The piece is a unique blend of politics and fantasy that is highly entertaining and never mainstream. Highly reccomended.

Not quite up there with Delany's best, but still very good., 24 Jul 2007
Although not one of his most critically acclaimed works, this is still a personal favourite amongst Delany's novels. The city of Tethys on Triton is an excellent venture of speculative sociology and provides a strong backdrop for the story. As ever, with Delany, themes of sexuality are prevalent too; the main character being a former male prostitute. Coming after the loose and rambling Dhalgren, Triton also represented something of a return to the tight plotting of his earlier books. Although not nearly as much of a rollercoaster ride as the likes of Babel 17 or Nova, we're treated to a story of interplanetary intrigue, mixed in with a more personal relationship story, and a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion to both. An enjoyable read throughout.

My first intro to Delany - loved it, and will re-read., 10 Aug 1998
It seems with Delany that you either understand him, and he becomes your favorite author, or you completely don't get it and are repulsed by all of his works. This was the first book I read by Delany -- since them I've read Dhalgren (what an awesome book) and the Neveryona series, and a bunch of his earlier works. The setting, Triton, was both believable and extremely surreal. The main character, though somewhat shallow... is absolutely fascinating and fascinatingly dense. This book is full of political, social, sexual and scientific commentary (as with all his later works)... I don't know what it was about it, but I personally couldn't put it down and stayed up all night reading it, and can't wait to re-read it. This is a beautiful and fascinating work, but not for everyone.

An intriquing character study, 06 Apr 1998
An intriquing character study - Delany puts you in the mind of his protagonist, and places his protagonist in an entirely plausible world (not just in the sense of planet), weird tho it be. All leavened with the cultural, philosphical etc. speculations and dialectics - many about sex of course - for which he is known. The actual sex is restrained, however (Thanks, SR!) Much more accessible than Dhalgren, tho I do not claim to understand all that is to be found or extracted from Triton. Enjoy!

Right ho!, 13 Apr 1999
Huh? I don't get it. Pirate girls are cool though. Maybe if I were a woman I could swallow this book whole then spit it back out, transform myself, die, turn into a rat and all kinds of groovy stuff. I guess liked it anyway.

Breaking all literary rules may not be so good, 19 Mar 1998
I realize that it is the 90's; however, I'm quite disappointed at the constant use of offensive language, sex and dream-state illusions which depict drug use. Credit has to be given to Kathy because she accomplished to involve her audience and upset some of us.

Right ho!, 13 Apr 1999
Huh? I don't get it. Pirate girls are cool though. Maybe if I were a woman I could swallow this book whole then spit it back out, transform myself, die, turn into a rat and all kinds of groovy stuff. I guess liked it anyway.

Breaking all literary rules may not be so good, 19 Mar 1998
I realize that it is the 90's; however, I'm quite disappointed at the constant use of offensive language, sex and dream-state illusions which depict drug use. Credit has to be given to Kathy because she accomplished to involve her audience and upset some of us.

Early Feminist Hyperreal Novels: Best of a New Genre in Fict, 10 Jul 1997
Kathy Acker has become known as the queen of punk feminist fiction. With Literal Madness she solidified that position. Three short texts unrelated to each other but connected by the quest metaphor. Of the three, Kath Goes to Haiti -- a pseudo-biographical piece -- calls for the most sustained interest. It is ostensibly a travel book adventure in the third world, but ultimately its quest is the undermining of linear narrative. Acker is a storyteller of the postmodern, disjuctive type. She short-circuits the narrative line in order to call the reader's attention to the discontinuous nature of our lives in/as fiction. She creates a hyperreality in Haiti, transforms place into text, and thereby questions the so-called reality principle. When her alter-ego "Kathy" discovers that Haiti is more a state of mind than a Caribbean island, the disjuncture in the text becomes sensible and senseless at the same time. The effect is surreal; but hyperreality (Jean Baudrillard's term) and surreality have in common elments of discontinuity and therfore serve to disorient the reader. Anyone looking for a 'good, old-fashion story' will have to look elsewhere because Acker's book satisfies none of the traditional reader's desires for linear regularity and certain expectability as to what stories do. Labeled pseudo-pornography, Kathy Goes to Haiti and other texts by Acker certainly do contain pornographic elements. But it soon becomes clear to the careful reader that what is at work in her fiction is the question of what pornography "means," especially for women. Can it be a tool to deconstruct itself? Can women themselves use it -- as Acker does -- to undermine its negative effects for women? Literal Madness is a great introduction to these questions for those willing to suspend their need for normal narrative development and to follow Acker through an acrobatics of word and scene, an at times insane juxtaposition of seemingly disparate materials that echo the disparity of our everyday lives and of our dreams. R. L. Mazzola, Robercind@aol.com

Brilliant!, 05 May 2002
One of the best books I've read in ages, dark, trippy, and laugh-out-loud funny as well. The illustrations are also cool. If you like Kathy Acker's work, get this. If you've never read her stuff, this is a good starting point.

Great!, 29 Dec 1998
If you're on the lookout for a for an unconventional, surreal, thoughtful, shocking, hilarious, crude, sensitive, and generally disconcerting novel/literary analysis/ treatise/social commentary, check out Acker's _Don Quixote_ and you won't be disappointed.

Reading and digesting Acker's work can occassionally feel strenuous...this is due to the sheer unconventionality of the novel, but the end result yeilds (often hilarious) new insight and is always worth the effort. The piece is a unique blend of politics and fantasy that is highly entertaining and never mainstream. Highly reccomended.

Not quite up there with Delany's best, but still very good., 24 Jul 2007
Although not one of his most critically acclaimed works, this is still a personal favourite amongst Delany's novels. The city of Tethys on Triton is an excellent venture of speculative sociology and provides a strong backdrop for the story. As ever, with Delany, themes of sexuality are prevalent too; the main character being a former male prostitute. Coming after the loose and rambling Dhalgren, Triton also represented something of a return to the tight plotting of his earlier books. Although not nearly as much of a rollercoaster ride as the likes of Babel 17 or Nova, we're treated to a story of interplanetary intrigue, mixed in with a more personal relationship story, and a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion to both. An enjoyable read throughout.

My first intro to Delany - loved it, and will re-read., 10 Aug 1998
It seems with Delany that you either understand him, and he becomes your favorite author, or you completely don't get it and are repulsed by all of his works. This was the first book I read by Delany -- since them I've read Dhalgren (what an awesome book) and the Neveryona series, and a bunch of his earlier works. The setting, Triton, was both believable and extremely surreal. The main character, though somewhat shallow... is absolutely fascinating and fascinatingly dense. This book is full of political, social, sexual and scientific commentary (as with all his later works)... I don't know what it was about it, but I personally couldn't put it down and stayed up all night reading it, and can't wait to re-read it. This is a beautiful and fascinating work, but not for everyone.

An intriquing character study, 06 Apr 1998
An intriquing character study - Delany puts you in the mind of his protagonist, and places his protagonist in an entirely plausible world (not just in the sense of planet), weird tho it be. All leavened with the cultural, philosphical etc. speculations and dialectics - many about sex of course - for which he is known. The actual sex is restrained, however (Thanks, SR!) Much more accessible than Dhalgren, tho I do not claim to understand all that is to be found or extracted from Triton. Enjoy!

Right ho!, 13 Apr 1999
Huh? I don't get it. Pirate girls are cool though. Maybe if I were a woman I could swallow this book whole then spit it back out, transform myself, die, turn into a rat and all kinds of groovy stuff. I guess liked it anyway.

Breaking all literary rules may not be so good, 19 Mar 1998
I realize that it is the 90's; however, I'm quite disappointed at the constant use of offensive language, sex and dream-state illusions which depict drug use. Credit has to be given to Kathy because she accomplished to involve her audience and upset some of us.

Right ho!, 13 Apr 1999
Huh? I don't get it. Pirate girls are cool though. Maybe if I were a woman I could swallow this book whole then spit it back out, transform myself, die, turn into a rat and all kinds of groovy stuff. I guess liked it anyway.

Breaking all literary rules may not be so good, 19 Mar 1998
I realize that it is the 90's; however, I'm quite disappointed at the constant use of offensive language, sex and dream-state illusions which depict drug use. Credit has to be given to Kathy because she accomplished to involve her audience and upset some of us.

Wonderful Introduction to Acker, 03 Sep 1999
This is a wonderful introduction to Acker...to all the major themes, motifs and techniques she would continue to explore through the rest of her life. I've had trouble with her work in the past, but these 3 short novels pulled me into her mindset enough to get a handle on what she is about and made me want to re-read her later work. These works are highly experimental, using a fractured collage technique and jarring jump-cuts to new points of view, so they are not for the relaxing subway ride home. Also contains a high exploration of gender roles, sexual identity, sexual deviancy that is touching and thoughtful, but may insult or frighten more conservative readers.