Medusa’s Children by Keith Antar Mason by - Book Review
Release:
Format:
Publisher:
Source:
Rating: out of 5 stars
Synopsis:
About the Author :
Medusa's Children by Keith Antar Mason
Release: October 2020Format: EbookPublisher: Wild Pressed BooksSource: Love Books ToursFind it at Goodreads, Wildpressedbooks.
__
__
In general, from performing in the alleys of LA, Keith Antar Mason recounts his experience of getting on stage at the ICA in London with The Hittite Empire Performance Art Collective, an all-Black Intergenerational Men’s Cultural Elite.
Significantly, the most thought-provoking part of this poem is: “See slavery ain’t ended in America. It’s just getting better dressed.”Above all, The narrative of the London trip and snippets of the author’s experiences back in LA is effortlessly interwoven with visceral and evocative images from Black History. Just as an illustration as memorized in his genes: We are the nightstick.BillyclubbedStrangewaysStrangefruitsSurvivorsEvery summer is a Red Summer.Medusa’s Children is a one voice rant, a prose memoir, a wish poem.This is a memory written inAshes and FogOur Life on MarsStone cold word killersSpitting Knowledge and TruthMother MedusaMake usSubliminal Seducers
About the Author:
Markedly, Keith Antar Mason is Artistic Director of The Hittite Empire Performance Art Collective, an all-Black Intergenerational Men’s Cultural Elite. He is the author of For Black Boys Who Had Considered Homicide When The Streets Were Too Much (Plume, 1986) and New Wine & Black Men’s Feet (Red Hen Press, 2009)
He has also performed with The Hittite Empire all over the United States and has taught and performed at Harvard University, Stanford University, UCLA, and USC.
Moreover, His work has been performed at The Black Theatre Festivals at Winston, Salem. Atlanta, LIFT, ICA London, and on Broadway at Alice Tully Hall, The Lincoln Centre.
Keith Antar Mason also conducts writing workshops in State Penitentiaries in California, Washington DC, and Nevada
Significantly, His New choreopoem, In The House of a Young Pharaoh, is being developed for Medium Production in LA in 2021.
And I knowI can see in your eyesHow you form words in your mouthThe rainy daysThe hot, humid summer nightsSomething BlackHasGotToDie
Twitter | GoodReads
Medusa's Children Review:
I have not read much poetry, but "Medusa's Children" is a beautiful and poignant read that makes you think.
[caption id="attachment_8691" align="alignleft" width="300"] Click to view on Instagram[/caption]
Firstly, the author prominently highlights vital issues like slavery and racism, which I feel is essential to spread awareness, especially in today's environment. Although we have come a long way, we need to sit down like Mason and ponder on what we can do to change and eliminate these issues. Also, the author does not shy from setting a lifelike tone to the plot. Besides, the story is difficult to digest at times. Similarly, even the writing is very raw, and some terms and situations are were very explicit. However, this makes the tale feel realistic and one that connects with the reader.
Moreover, I enjoyed how the author suddenly shifts between the settings of London and LA. Similarly, the author transfixed me in the way he talks about Black History. Although the story is relatively short, the imagery of the characters and the locations are vivid and detailed. The contrast between the two environments reveals how we vary in cultures and how humanity is flawed in many ways due to his upbringing and mindset. Similarly, the author talks about life in various venues like Hollywood, touring, and stories of slavery.
From reading the memoir, you can see how much emotion the author put into the poem. Each chapter feels like you learn a new aspect of the author and how his experiences changed him. Overall, I felt "Medusa's Children" is an eye-opener and a poem that everyone should read to experience its impact.
Tour Schedule
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Medusas Children by Keith Antar Mason Blog Tour hosted by Love Books Tours.
Bunny’s Pause - 9th NovemberRozier Reads and Wine - 9th NovemberNeville Louise - 9th Novemberpetridish1995 - 10th NovKaren and her Books - 10th NovRhianyddmorris- 10th NovCreaty_rich - 11th NovRajiv's Reviews - 11th Nov-Reading Through the Lookinglass - 12th Nov-Celeste C. Cruz - 12th NovKel's book reviews - 13th NovThe Magic Of Wor(l)ds - 13th NovBertyboy123 - 14th NovAll and any books (both blog and Instagram) - 14th NovOn My Bookshelf - 14th Nov
In general, from performing in the alleys of LA, Keith Antar Mason recounts his experience of getting on stage at the ICA in London with The Hittite Empire Performance Art Collective, an all-Black Intergenerational Men’s Cultural Elite.
Significantly, the most thought-provoking part of this poem is: “See slavery ain’t ended in America. It’s just getting better dressed.” Above all, The narrative of the London trip and snippets of the author’s experiences back in LA is effortlessly interwoven with visceral and evocative images from Black History. Just as an illustration as memorized in his genes: We are the nightstick. Billyclubbed Strangeways Strangefruits Survivors Every summer is a Red Summer. Medusa’s Children is a one voice rant, a prose memoir, a wish poem. This is a memory written in Ashes and Fog Our Life on Mars Stone cold word killers Spitting Knowledge and Truth Mother Medusa Make us Subliminal Seducers
About the Author:
Markedly, Keith Antar Mason is Artistic Director of The Hittite Empire Performance Art Collective, an all-Black Intergenerational Men’s Cultural Elite. He is the author of For Black Boys Who Had Considered Homicide When The Streets Were Too Much (Plume, 1986) and New Wine & Black Men’s Feet (Red Hen Press, 2009)
He has also performed with The Hittite Empire all over the United States and has taught and performed at Harvard University, Stanford University, UCLA, and USC.
Moreover, His work has been performed at The Black Theatre Festivals at Winston, Salem. Atlanta, LIFT, ICA London, and on Broadway at Alice Tully Hall, The Lincoln Centre.
Keith Antar Mason also conducts writing workshops in State Penitentiaries in California, Washington DC, and Nevada
Significantly, His New choreopoem, In The House of a Young Pharaoh, is being developed for Medium Production in LA in 2021.
And I know I can see in your eyes How you form words in your mouth The rainy days The hot, humid summer nights Something Black Has Got To Die
I have not read much poetry, but “Medusa’s Children” is a beautiful and poignant read that makes you think.
Click to view on Instagram
Firstly, the author prominently highlights vital issues like slavery and racism, which I feel is essential to spread awareness, especially in today’s environment. Although we have come a long way, we need to sit down like Mason and ponder on what we can do to change and eliminate these issues. Also, the author does not shy from setting a lifelike tone to the plot. Besides, the story is difficult to digest at times. Similarly, even the writing is very raw, and some terms and situations are were very explicit. However, this makes the tale feel realistic and one that connects with the reader.
Moreover, I enjoyed how the author suddenly shifts between the settings of London and LA. Similarly, the author transfixed me in the way he talks about Black History. Although the story is relatively short, the imagery of the characters and the locations are vivid and detailed. The contrast between the two environments reveals how we vary in cultures and how humanity is flawed in many ways due to his upbringing and mindset. Similarly, the author talks about life in various venues like Hollywood, touring, and stories of slavery.
From reading the memoir, you can see how much emotion the author put into the poem. Each chapter feels like you learn a new aspect of the author and how his experiences changed him. Overall, I felt “Medusa’s Children” is an eye-opener and a poem that everyone should read to experience its impact.
Tour Schedule
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Medusas Children by Keith Antar Mason Blog Tour hosted by Love Books Tours.
__
