Think about for me, if you’ll, the scent of a corpse flower. It appears to be like like a bunch of layers rotting within the solar, blended with rotten blue cheese dressing. Sadly, I by no means had the pleasure of smelling that notorious scent, however that is the outline in accordance with Aimee Nezhukumatathil in her new prose e book, “World of Wonders”.

Nezhukumatathil wraps us round as she takes us by means of a literal world of surprise. For these accustomed to the world of poetry, we’re used to seeing Nezhukumatathil writing in stanzas – extra just lately in “Oceanic” – concerning the delicate animals of the ocean and the way they relate to the world we reside in. .

Likewise, in “World of Wonders”, Nezhukumatathil finds herself related to flowers, bushes, whale sharks and different life varieties in nature, in addition to to her personal world, and to reminiscences of her previous. by means of a collection of quick essays. By no means earlier than have I learn something on this type of braided prose that so superbly connects nature with easy occasions that occur to so many people.

One in every of my favourite “World of Wonders” essays is “Axolotl”. Nezhukumatathil weaves her essay superbly by displaying the difficulties of being a “brunette lady” within the midst of “white ladies”, telling her which colour appears to be like finest on her lips. The best way that Nezhukumatathil pertains to an axolotl is exceptional, and we’re capable of finding a technique to relate her expertise, even when we do not instantly establish along with her.

I actually haven’t any criticism for this piece aside from an essay that appears misplaced: “Calendars Poetica”. This essay is positioned in the midst of “World of Wonders” and pertains to nature, however it isn’t explicitly about an animal. Relatively, it’s about “the artwork of poetry” and its firstborn.

All in all, “World of Wonders” is an impressive piece in case you’re in search of a fast learn and even simply to study elements of nature you have by no means heard of – in my case the Corpse Flower. . Any reader is bound to search out one thing to attach with on this pile of prose and will not be upset.

And for these of you who want to know extra about Aimee Nezhukumatathil, enroll right here to listen to him learn in “World of Wonders” at Saint Mary’s Faculty on March 11 at 7 pm, adopted by a query and reply session.

Delivered: “World of Wonders”

Creator: Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Favourite chapters: “Corpse Flower”, “Axolotl”

In case you favored: “Oceanic”

Clovers: 5 out of 5

Tags: aimee nezhukumatathil, black lives matter, e book, nature, oceanic, poetry, prose, criticism, Saint Mary’s Faculty, wonderland