September 22nd, 2023: I take a copy of Death Egg to a cabin in Wisconsin. Unable to read. A goat that has found its way onto the porch keeps trying to eat it.
September 23rd, 2023: Goat previously mentioned has somehow gotten inside the house. It has a smaller goat friend and now there are several cats. Reading Death Egg here seems improbable.
September 25th, 2023: I pack Death Egg to take with me to Egypt. Why am I going to Egypt? Mind your business. I land in Cairo to find that an unnamed person hid a healing crystal in the same bag as Death Egg because people are weird. I doubt Death Egg feels healed…
September 29th, 2023: I am now in Dahab trying to read Death Egg but a child keeps trying to sell me a bracelet. I buy it in hopes that I won’t see that child ever again and I don’t want to be an asshole American. While trying to figure out the currency, Death Egg has fallen into the Red Sea. Strangely this place has stairs that lead directly into the water. I retrieve it and promise that I’ll read it once it dries off.
October 5th, 2023: I have now completely forgotten about Death Egg. A pack of goats are all up in my business while I try to drink a Pepsi. Thankfully, this has reminded me about Death Egg. These goats apparently have no interest in eating it. It’s pretty damn good so far.
October 9th, 2023: I am in 110 degree weather at the Malakot Mountain Oasis and am probably dying. This seems like a good time to finish reading Death Egg. I am definitely reviewing this book if I make it through this night.
February 14th, 2024: I am alive and home. I hope you like my review of Death Egg…
Death Egg emerges as a celestial force in an otherwise literary hellscape,firmly gripping readers by the hands and beckoning them through a Wiki Wormhole composed of star stuff. Within this captivating literary odyssey, each poem becomes a vessel, and we find ourselves floating through verses, hoping that within a single word lies the key to unraveling the secrets of the cosmos. Nathaniel Duggan’s poetic mastery shines through in this immersive experience, where he skillfully balances cleverness without pretension, sadness without desperation, loneliness without futility, and relevance without conformity.
This collection serves as a reservoir of undisguised treasures, with notable pieces such as “Doomsday Preparation” and “Disqualified as a Human Being.” Duggan’s exploration navigates the intricate landscapes of isolation, surreal encounters with giant insects, the futuristic allure of robots, the mesmerizing choreography of laser beams, the delicate dance of love, the complex tapestry of geopolitics, and the ever-expanding universe of the internet.
Published by Back Patio Press in September 2023, Death Egg seamlessly aligns with the publishing house’s ethos of backyard surrealism. Back Patio Press, known for its specialization in publishing peculiar indie literature that explores the idiosyncrasies of the mundane, establishes a space where the gritty, tranquil, and otherworldly facets of existence converge. This laid-back haven for readers plays a pivotal role as the conduit for Death Egg to radiate its exceptional blend of humor, relevance, and sardonic poetry.
Duggan’s wit permeates the collection, casting a humorous glow on life’s absurdities while seamlessly interweaving the intricacies of contemporary existence. Each piece serves as a vibrant snapshot, capturing the core of our collective human experience with a fresh and original perspective.
Death Egg transcends the traditional boundaries of poetry, inviting readers into a realm where laughter and contemplation coexist harmoniously. Duggan’s ability to infuse his poems with a unique blend of entertainment and profundity establishes a benchmark for what every poetry collection should aspire to achieve – a simultaneous blend of humor, relevance, and deep evocativeness. As we navigate the cosmos of Death Egg, we find ourselves entertained and enlightened by the reflections of a poet who skillfully mirrors the complexities of our sad existence. Duggan is one of those rare poets that the internet can be proud of.