Book Review: Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One

Book Review: Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One

Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One is a stunning debut issue of a new international literary magazine. Editor Nadja Spiegelman has assembled a diverse and dazzling lineup of writers from around the world, all exploring the theme of ecstasy in its many forms.

The issue opens with a short story by Mieko Kawakami, "The Girl with the Bird Heart." It is a surreal and haunting tale of a young woman who discovers that she has a bird heart, and the ways in which this sets her apart from the world around her.

Next comes a poem by Fernanda Melchor, "Ecstasy." It is a visceral and powerful exploration of the ways in which ecstasy can be both liberating and destructive.

Catherine Lacey's short story, "The Body," is a darkly comic look at the ways in which we relate to our bodies and to each other. It is also a meditation on the nature of desire and the pursuit of pleasure.

Leslie Jamison's essay, "The Ecstasy of Disintegration," is a personal and reflective exploration of the ways in which ecstasy can be found in the midst of chaos and breakdown.

Solmaz Sharif's poem, "Looking," is a meditation on the ways in which we see and are seen. It is also a celebration of the power of the gaze to transform and transcend.

Terrance Hayes' poem, "American Sonnet For My Past and Future Lovers," is a love poem that is both personal and political. It is a celebration of queer love and identity, and a challenge to the forces that would seek to erase them.

Don Mee Choi's poem, "The Autobiography of Ki-sook Kwak," is a harrowing and moving account of the life of a Korean comfort woman during World War II. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable suffering.

Ada Limón's poem, "The Wild," is a celebration of the natural world and the ways in which it can connect us to something larger than ourselves. It is also a reminder of the wildness that exists within us all.

Chinelo Okparanta's short story, "The Dreamers," is a moving story of two young Nigerian immigrants who find love and connection in a new land. It is also a celebration of the power of the imagination to transcend even the most difficult circumstances.

Sayaka Murata's short story, "A Clean Marriage," is a darkly comic look at the institution of marriage and the ways in which it can stifle our individuality. It is also a meditation on the nature of love and desire.

Katharina Volckmer's short story, "After the End," is a post-apocalyptic tale of a group of survivors who find new hope and meaning in the midst of a world that has been destroyed.

Kate Zambreno's essay, "Ecstasy and the Body," is a personal and philosophical exploration of the ways in which ecstasy is both physical and spiritual. It is also a meditation on the nature of art and the ways in which it can help us to experience the world in new and profound ways.

These are just a few of the many highlights of Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One. It is a truly remarkable collection of writing that is both challenging and rewarding. Spiegelman has curated a magazine that is truly international in its scope, and that features a wide range of voices and perspectives.

Deep Analysis

One of the most striking things about Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One is its diversity. The writers featured in the issue come from all over the world, and their work explores a wide range of experiences and perspectives. This diversity is reflected in the different ways in which the writers approach the theme of ecstasy.

For some writers, ecstasy is a physical experience, something that is felt in the body. For others, it is a spiritual experience, something that transcends the physical world. Still others explore the ways in which ecstasy can be both liberating and destructive.

The issue also explores the different ways in which ecstasy is experienced by different groups of people. For example, Don Mee Choi's poem, "The Autobiography of Ki-sook Kwak," explores the ecstasy that can be found in the midst of suffering. And Terrance Hayes' poem, "American Sonnet For My Past and Future Lovers," explores the ecstasy of queer love and identity.

Another striking thing about Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One is its quality. The writing in the issue is consistently excellent, and each piece is a work of art in its own right. Spiegelman has clearly taken great care in curating the issue, and it shows.

Overall, Astra Magazine, Ecstasy: Issue One is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature. It is a master piece read