Elisa Gabbert is a poet and essayist whose work delves into the intricacies of language and the human psyche. Her writing is characterized by its sharp insights and unconventional perspective on modern life. Gabbert explores themes of identity, perception, and the often-blurred lines between the internal and external worlds. Both her prose and poetry are marked by their intelligence and formal dexterity, offering readers a profound and thought-provoking experience.
The book explores the pervasive impact of technology on communication and perception of the world, highlighting a culture obsessed with constant connectivity and information overload. It delves into the collective anxiety surrounding contemporary issues, reflecting on how the overwhelming influx of news contributes to a sense of despair. The narrative captures the tension between the desire for knowledge and the emotional toll it takes, prompting readers to consider the implications of living in an age defined by digital distractions and a bleak outlook.
A collection of funny and thought-provoking poems inspired by surprising facts that will appeal to poetry lovers and poetry haters alike, from the author of the essay collection The Unreality of Memory, “a work of sheer brilliance, beauty, and bravery” (Andrew Sean Greer) Known to be both “casually brilliant” (Sandra Newman) and a “ruthless self-examiner” (Sarah Manguso), acclaimed writer Elisa Gabbert brings her “questing, restless intelligence” (Kirkus Reviews) to a new collection of poetry. By turns funny and chilling, these poems collect strange facts, interrogate language, and ask unanswerable questions that offer the pleasure of discovery on nearly every page: How does one suffer “gladly,” exactly? How bored are dogs? Which is more frightening, nothing or empty space? Was Wittgenstein sexy? The poems in this collection are earwormy, ultracontemporary, essayistic, aphoristic, and philosophical—invitations to eavesdrop on a mind paying attention to itself. Normal Distance is a book about thinking and feeling, meaning and experience, trees and the weather, and the boredom and pain of living through time.
