Review of Gawdzilla
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Claudia Angelucci
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Review of Gawdzilla
[Following is a volunteer review of "Gawdzilla" by Judy Juanita.]
Judy Juanita's poetry collection, "Gawdzilla," explores various forms—from free verse and monologues to short and long prose—with standout pieces like "I know demons," "lizzo fights godzilla," and "a prayer to godzilla." Each poem, including the concluding "ain't supposed to die a natural death," transcends mere controversy, boldly challenging and reshaping the boundaries of expression.
The iconic Godzilla transforms into the distorted Gawdzilla, symbolizing the 'evils of imperialism.' Juanita's poems delve into societal changes from 1954 to 1989, covering the release of the Godzilla movie to the tragic death of Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of the Black Panther Party.
Juanita, an accomplished American poet, novelist, and playwright, and former editor-in-chief of The Black Panther, shares her four-decade journey shaped by Nichiren Soka Gakkai Buddhism in the preface, declaring her belief in the sanctity of life.
The preface delves into historical context, highlighting Josei Toda, the second president of Soka Gakkai International, and his 1957 historical condemnation of nuclear weapons. Toda unflinchingly denounced these weapons as absolute evil, advocating for their abolition and condemning those who deploy them as life robbers.
The first poem portrays rainy Saturdays spent as a family watching Godzilla films over and over, unfolding into raw narratives that confront violence, racism, oppression, abuse, sexism, slavery, abortion, and more. The verses address harsh realities, featuring a baby's voice from a hospital drainage destined to join others in sewage pipes of major American cities.
Celebrities are not absent. The Kardashians become a platform for critique, with one member altering her face into a kewpie doll. Lizzo stands as the anti-Kardashian, embodying an anti-America stance; she is “Amerikka the beautiful.’
Juanita's distinctive voice is marked by unfiltered expression, encompassing numerous curse words, vivid depictions of violence, and explicit sexual language. The poems exhibit a commanding presence—loud, direct, raw, and delivered with swift intensity.
The book has undergone professional editing, yet it's crucial to acknowledge its poetic style. The author deliberately uses unconventional language, such as "wont" for "want" and "da" for "the," "viet nam" for "Vietnam," and so on, while also infrequently employing capital letters.
I would give "Gawdzilla" 5 out of 5 stars. In these poems, I experienced a range of conflicting emotions like never before. I both hated and loved them, found humor entwined with tragedy, and witnessed a blend of seriousness and ridiculousness. I agreed and disagreed with their essence, laughed and cried in the same breath. They are simple yet complex, sweet yet bitter, and embody both ugliness and beauty.
******
Gawdzilla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Judy Juanita's poetry collection, "Gawdzilla," explores various forms—from free verse and monologues to short and long prose—with standout pieces like "I know demons," "lizzo fights godzilla," and "a prayer to godzilla." Each poem, including the concluding "ain't supposed to die a natural death," transcends mere controversy, boldly challenging and reshaping the boundaries of expression.
The iconic Godzilla transforms into the distorted Gawdzilla, symbolizing the 'evils of imperialism.' Juanita's poems delve into societal changes from 1954 to 1989, covering the release of the Godzilla movie to the tragic death of Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of the Black Panther Party.
Juanita, an accomplished American poet, novelist, and playwright, and former editor-in-chief of The Black Panther, shares her four-decade journey shaped by Nichiren Soka Gakkai Buddhism in the preface, declaring her belief in the sanctity of life.
The preface delves into historical context, highlighting Josei Toda, the second president of Soka Gakkai International, and his 1957 historical condemnation of nuclear weapons. Toda unflinchingly denounced these weapons as absolute evil, advocating for their abolition and condemning those who deploy them as life robbers.
The first poem portrays rainy Saturdays spent as a family watching Godzilla films over and over, unfolding into raw narratives that confront violence, racism, oppression, abuse, sexism, slavery, abortion, and more. The verses address harsh realities, featuring a baby's voice from a hospital drainage destined to join others in sewage pipes of major American cities.
Celebrities are not absent. The Kardashians become a platform for critique, with one member altering her face into a kewpie doll. Lizzo stands as the anti-Kardashian, embodying an anti-America stance; she is “Amerikka the beautiful.’
Juanita's distinctive voice is marked by unfiltered expression, encompassing numerous curse words, vivid depictions of violence, and explicit sexual language. The poems exhibit a commanding presence—loud, direct, raw, and delivered with swift intensity.
The book has undergone professional editing, yet it's crucial to acknowledge its poetic style. The author deliberately uses unconventional language, such as "wont" for "want" and "da" for "the," "viet nam" for "Vietnam," and so on, while also infrequently employing capital letters.
I would give "Gawdzilla" 5 out of 5 stars. In these poems, I experienced a range of conflicting emotions like never before. I both hated and loved them, found humor entwined with tragedy, and witnessed a blend of seriousness and ridiculousness. I agreed and disagreed with their essence, laughed and cried in the same breath. They are simple yet complex, sweet yet bitter, and embody both ugliness and beauty.
******
Gawdzilla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Brothers Bound by Bruce K. Berger
