I don't know Emily Perkovich, but I feel weirdly proud of her for this collection. It is not easy to put into words the massive thing that is womanhood — the grief of it and the rage of it and the hopelessness of it and the all of it — but Perkovich manages, her words at times conversational, at times contemplative, and always mightily affecting. I admire her honesty as much as I do her talent (that is, lots and lots!).

Some stand-out favorites: "5," "May Crowning," "Barefoot Desperados," "but the mouth sheds the caterpillar's fangs," "Snuff," "Roxanne."

Thank you to Alien Buddha Press for providing an e-copy of this collection via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.