Written as a kind of historical narrative in verse, the poems in this collection depict the coming of age and sexual awareness of the great Italian writer and film director, Pier Paolo Pasolini. The time of this story is World War II; the place is German-occupied northern Italy. Unlike his younger brother, Guido, who took up arms to fight in the resistance, Pasolini chose to help his mother set up a school for the boys too young to fight or be conscripted. The situation ignited an internal war for the young Pasolini that nearly eclipsed the historical moment: a battle within between his desire for boys and his Catholic faith and culture. In addition to the poems that juxtapose Pasolini’s struggle against the backdrop of political and cultural fascism, the book also includes a prologue and an epilogue that details the author’s pilgrimage to the site and her research into the time that shaped Pasolini as a man and as an artist.

Sweet ass! A 200ish-page book about pot and pot-related stuff. Can you believe somebody paid these guys to publish a whole book about The Chronic? Man, that is so sick! The Marijuana-Logues started as an Off-Broadway show, consisting of these three guys, Arj Barker, Doug Benson, and Tony Camin sitting on stools and elucidating and illustrating the wisdom of weed. Since you probably never got motivated enough to actually go see the show, now is your chance to enjoy such gems as, “Some people say marijuana is a crutch—yeah, crutches help people walk. We think that’s a good thing.” In this sturdy volume (not made from hemp paper, so don’t try to smoke it), you’ll find many highly creative essays on the virtues of that fine fine plant, as well as some herben poetry, “high-ku,” marijuana fun facts, marijuana fun snacks, and other up-here stuff [point to your head]. Some choice buds from The Marijuana-Logues: ARJ BARKER’S FIRST TIME The first time I smoked pot, I was in the back seat of my older brother’s car. It must have been some pretty good weed, too, because I’m an only child. THINGS YOU WILL NEVER HEAR DOUG BENSON SAY WHEN HE IS OFFERED SOME MARIJUANA No. FEMALE COMPOTABILITY by Tony Camin My girlfriend thinks that I smoke too much pot. I, on the other hand, don’t think I smoke enough pot, because if I did, I’d be finished. And I’m not. Look, we all have our vices: I like to smoke a little weed; she likes to feed the baby. Different strokes for different folks.

"Virtually incomparable. . . . [Arrowsmith] has quite literally distilled this poetry's essence in order to recompose it with all of its colors, scents, and exquisitely understated potency intact." -Rebecca West