An NPR Best Book of 2014
A Time Out New York Best Book of 2014
“In his debut collection, Jones has crafted a fever dream, something akin to magic.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“The features that distinguish his poems from prose—brevity, symbolism, implication—let him investigate the almost unsayable.”
—The Los Angeles Times
“This is indeed a book seamed in smoke; it is a dance that invites you to admire the supple twist of its narrative spine.’”
—NPR
“The way these poems address violence, life in the south, race, sexuality and relationships makes for an engrossing read best consumed in as few sittings as possible.”
—Time
“No matter the subject, Jones’s writing is silky smooth.”
—The Washington Post
“Prelude to Bruise is a harrowing examination of masculinity and femininity as a ‘brutal’ performance.”
—BuzzFeed
“Prelude to Bruise is a necessary piece of contemporary poetry that bravely tackles issues such as abuse, promiscuity, homosexuality, and racism.”
—Prairie Schooner
“Perhaps the readiest, most painfully assured debut of the decade.”
—Flavorwire
“A tome of searing poetry about what it means to be Black, gay, Southern and so much more.”
—Refinery 29
“A work of insight and great beauty, Jones’ first poetry collection manages to be both ferocious and and subtle.”
—Brooklyn Magazine
“The poems in Prelude to Bruise enflame, with all flame’s consequences of wounding and illumination.”
—Rain Taxi
“Prelude to Bruise Saeed Jones is a powerful collection . . . with a high level of craft, emotion and metaphor.”
—Ebony
“At times harrowing, Jones succeeds at never straying too far away from beauty and light, and that balance makes this a true reading experience.”
—Vol. 1 Brooklyn
“Saeed Jones may be one of the most necessary poets of our time.”
—July Westhale, Lambda Literary
“Poetry book most likely to win over your poetry-avoiding friends: Prelude to Bruise by Saeed Jones.”
—Time Out New York
“This powerful collection feels at times like a blow to the throat, but when we recover, the air is sweeter for having been absent.”
—Guernica
“Prelude to Bruise is a thunderous title for a first collection. It promises that a bruise will come later. It says that, even when we feel like we’re drowning, we can still be ecstatic.”
—The Brooklyn Rail
