Roadmap - by Monica Prince (Paperback)

About the Book

"In this radical 21st century choreopoem, Dorian, a young American Black man, is tasked by an ancestral spirit to thwart his inevitable murder. He traces his family tree, from his grandmother to his offspring, uncovering secrets of sex work, self-harm, and assault alongside snapshots of BlackBoyJoy. Guided by The Novelist, an omniscient muse, and her troupe of dancers, Dorian must interrogate his legacy, forgive his past, and reckon with being Black in modern America. He tries on different selves and possible futures in his increasing desperation to experience the luxury of growing old and finding solace despite institutional racism declaring him a threat. Through the poetry, dance, and song of Roadmap, will Dorian overcome the odds or become another hashtag?"--

Book Synopsis

In this radical twenty-first century choreopoem, Dorian, a young American Black man, is tasked by an ancestral spirit to thwart his inevitable murder. He traces his family tree, from his grandmother to his offspring, uncovering secrets of sex work, self-harm, and assault alongside snapshots of #BlackBoyJoy. Guided by The Novelist, an omniscient muse, and her troupe of dancers, Dorian must interrogate his legacy, forgive his past, and reckon with being Black in modern America. He tries on different selves and possible futures in his increasing desperation to experience the luxury of growing old and finding solace despite institutional racism declaring him a threat. Through the poetry, dance, and song of Roadmap, will Dorian overcome the odds or become another hashtag?

Review Quotes

"Prince takes us on a journey that produces an emotional response to the issues that face the Black community and urges us to take a look at our own journey through humanity." -- Rhea Carmon, Poet Laureate of Tennessee

"Roadmap is a revelation." --Deesha Philyaw, Author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

About the Author

Monica Prince teaches activist and performance writing at Susquehanna University. Her books include How to Exterminate the Black Woman: A Choreopoem, Instructions for Temporary Survival, and Letters from the Other Woman. Born to Guyanese parents and obsessed with maxi skirts with pockets, she writes, teaches, directs, and performs choreopoems all over the country, but is mostly found on Twitter @poetic_moni or on her website, monicaprince.com.