Complaint in the Garden

This collection of poems by bright, up-and-coming writer, Randall Mann, is a stand-out first book. Mann cleverly blends classic form with contemporary themes that challenge, excite, disturb, and inspire readers of these fine works. His poems are neat but not sparse, rich but not overdone, a refreshing and exciting take on themes such as queer experience, Floridian dwelling, and the perlustration of love and beauty. Mann's "Complaint in the Garden" is truly a delightful piece.

Randall Mann lures you into his garden with formal poetic structures and luscious descriptions of Florida. But watch out: Mann's language will pull you around into lands erotic, sad, and sometimes, even a little frightening. It's a dazzling ride. This book won the prestigious Kenyon Prize. Randall Mann is one of the most exciting young poets to come along.

I can't stop reading this incredible book of poetry--beautiful poem after beautiful poem after beautiful poem. Mann has a rare gift for describing landscape. His poems about both love and life as a gay man are incredibly moving. But perhaps most importantly, Mann's use of form--particulary in his sonnets and villanelles--is just lovely--and quite brilliant. This is the best book of poetry that I've seen in a long, long time.