Joker, Joker, Deuce - (Penguin Poets) by Paul Beatty (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An electrifying collection of poems from the author of The Sellout, winner of the 2016 Man Booker Prize

Originally published in 1994, Paul Beatty's second volume of poetry won praise for the way it "pushes the boundaries of free verse while assessing the landscapes of African American autobiography" (Bomb Magazine). In these poems, which explore aspects of race, identity, and popular culture, Beatty was honing the comic, satirical voice and vivid imagination that came to full realization in his acclaimed fiction. Joker, Joker, Deuce "moves to fierce urban rhythms, both cool and hot," writes Jessica Hagedorn. "A rush of intense visual images and electric word music."

Review Quotes

"Beatty is fresh, hip, and his images, cadences, rhythm and use of language are extraordinary."
- Quincy Troupe

"Beatty parts the curtain of retro respectable poetry, revealing an image world astrally projected on a hip hop reality trip."
- Evelyn McDonnell, The Village Voice

About the Author

Paul Beatty is the author of four novels -- The White Boy Shuffle, Tuff, Slumberland, and The Sellout, which was the winner of the 2016 Man Booker Prize and the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction - and two collections of poetry, Big Bank Take Little Bank and Joker, Joker, Deuce. He lives in New York City.