Essence
by Thuy On
Following on from Turbulence and Decadence, Essence continues Thuy On’s exploration into language and broadens its reach into the arts. It strips poetry down to its core to distil moments of beauty and chaos into permanence – an exquisite collection seeking the marrow of life, love and creativity.
"This collection is ocean-hearted." EMILIE COLLYER
"Full of paeans to pop songs and cold-cut lit classics whilst taking apart the machinery of cultural criticism (and consumption), this collection also hums with a blood-red longing for connection beyond the page." DAVID STAVANGER
"At its heart, Thuy On’s latest collection is a sassy critique of the world of art and literature and all of our earnest exertions in pursuit of this thing called Art." GRACE YEE
Reviews of Essence
"The short poems throughout Essence work perfectly for the discrete subject matter and are easy to read, but the simplicity belies the depth of this work or the way it interrogates language and the impact it has. Readers will enjoy the many literary references and links throughout the book, and the way in which On collates external sources with a sensual framework. Essence is a pleasure to read, beautifully written, funny and often deeply moving." Magdalena Ball, Compulsive Reader
"This thoughtfully crafted and concise collection by an adept writer captivates with its lyrical yet feisty charm. It should be enjoyed by and accessible to poetry readers of all levels, avid readers of Western literary classics, and fans of On’s Stella Prize–longlisted Decadence." Hellai Gul, Books + Publishing
Book details
ISBN: 978-1-76080-299-8
PUBLISHED: 3 February 2025
CATEGORY: Poetry
AUTHOR: Thuy On
PRICE: $24.99 (incl GST)