num_pages: 96
description: Poetry. Asian American Studies. In The THE TEMPERATURE OF THIS WATER, Ishle Yi Park samples the climates of New York and Korea to present an unflinching, meticulously detailed view of lives cracked open as much by love as they are by overwork, violence, and racism. Sharp street wit and a sensual attention to detail give vivid, palpable form to the lovers and criminals, mothers and gangbangers who live behind the closed doors of New York immigrant life. Within each poem lies a story; within each story lies a whole community waiting to be uncovered. Whether tracing the path of prisoners meeting girlfriends or Korean comfort women or .44s shot from rooftops in Brooklyn, Park's passion and uncompromising honesty lays bare the ruined heart of a city still pulsing with light.
language: English
title: The Temperature of This Water
titlecomplete: The Temperature of This Water
genres: Poetry
ratings_count: 97
awards: awardedAt: 1104566400000
name: PEN Open Book Award
publisher: Kaya/Muae