It is no surprise that for the three nights since reading Kin Types, I have had vivid dreams of my own family. It is no surprise because Luanne Castle’s thought-full book presents the concept of family in such a palpable manner, one feels as if you have sat across the table from an aunt, a grandmother, a cousin, and heard family stories that could very well be your own.
Layered with poems and prose, you turn a page to reveal the next colorful character, the faded memory, the texture of a detail only a poet would think to include. The result is a beautiful collage of the family experience — its loves and losses, its joys and sorrows, its tragedies and secrets.
How clever of Castle to include the modern-day theory of behavioral epigenetics, essentially we are that collage, we are the stories, they are in our DNA. It is the premise of the book, and holds its own from the opening epigraph by Liam Callanan (The Cloud Atlas) to the final, beautiful poem “When Your Grandfather Shows You Photographs of His Mother.”
Speaking of photographs, do make note of the woman on the front cover, her knowing glance to the author’s photo on the back. Is this the forebear who whispers “Don’t quit writing like I did”?
No matter, we are happy Castle heeded the advice.
Jen, thank you so much for such a sensitive reading of Kin Types. Every poet and writer would love a “packed audience” of Jens!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope others get a chance to as well!!
I am so thrilled that you liked it!
Reblogged this on Writer Site and commented:
Love this review of Kin Types by poet and writer Jen Payne.
Fantastic review! Congratulations, Luanne!
Such a thoughtful and lovely review!
Ordered my copy today!
Outstanding review! Convinced me!