"Negative Money" by Lillian-Yvonne Bertram is a unique and thought-provoking collection of poetry that delves into the intersections of economics, identity, and the complexities of modern life. This collection offers a blend of language, imagery, and the exploration of how financial and personal circumstances intertwine.

Bertram's writing style is evocative and inventive, inviting readers to contemplate the ways in which economic systems impact individuals and societies. The poems in the collection are a mix of introspection, social commentary, and glimpses into the nuances of economic struggles.

At the heart of the collection is a poetic examination of the concept of "negative money" and the various ways it can be interpreted. The author skillfully navigates the themes of wealth disparity, societal pressures, and the emotional toll that financial burdens can take.

"Negative Money" successfully balances the abstract with the concrete, offering readers a chance to engage with both the intellectual and emotional dimensions of the subject matter. The exploration of themes like inequality, resilience, and the human capacity to find beauty amidst challenges adds depth to the poems.

In conclusion, "Negative Money" is a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating collection of poetry that encourages readers to contemplate the complex relationship between economics and human identity. If you're seeking a book that offers a unique and introspective exploration of societal and personal pressures, this collection provides a compelling and enriching poetic journey.

Lillian-Yvonne Bertram’s Negative Money was published yesterday by Soft Skull Press. This ambitious, thought-provoking book engages and collaborates with the “Talk to Transformer” text-generating website, the Forever Gwen Brooks poem generator, an Internet Anagram Server, and the lyrics of De La Soul. The poems are wildly heady and urgently tender (and full of legal tender as well) as they dismantle capitalism through the lens of race and gender and violence. In these pages you’ll find vis-po (maps made in collaboration with graphic designer Yaya Chanawichote) and sections describing Bertram’s process by Ian Davidson. In “My Past Has No Value,” Bertram constructs a powerful list poem addressing men and the power of their money—from the first who “checked [me] out in the corner bookshop at thirteen” to boyfriends, married lovers, a husband.

You can preview some of their poems here which first appeared in Gulf Coast:

https://gulfcoastmag.org/online/summer-fall-2020/4-poems-bertram/

Congratulations, Lillian-Yvonne!