Intelligent, quirky, and satisfying.
Originally published in 2007, Adelaide’s own Buon-Cattivi Press has reissued this extraordinary verse novel in a beautiful new edition.
The verse novel is a niche genre, but one which seems to thrive in Australia, the great Dorothy Porter having penned five of them. Australian writer Gabrielle Everall takes that genre and makes it her own.
Dona Juanita and the Love of Boys is both challenging and rewarding. A feminized version of Don Juan, Dona is working through her memories of sexual trauma whilst negotiating the chicanes and corners of love, lust, and sexuality. Structured around five sections, each section advances the narrative through free verse, prose poetry and other forms. It is at once an easy and a difficult read, but never dull.
Everall is an unapologetically intellectual writer, weaving her story around references to Goethe, Barthe and philosopher Kristeva, amongst others. These references are explained in the author’s notes, which add depth to any reading of the substantive work.
But fear not: Dona Juanita is also funny, raunchy, cheeky, and full of moments that we can all recognize within the horror of unrequited love.
This is a work which bets to be re-read annually, allowing it to mature and reveal its many layers of meaning, over time.
For those who came to this novel when it was first published, this delightful new edition presents an opportunity for that re-reading.
This is one for the lovers of poetry, novels, erotica and queer fiction, as well as anyone curious about that quirky genre, the verse novel.
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Twitter: @TraceyKorsten
Distributed by: Buon-Cattivi Press
Released: July 2020
RRP: $24.95
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