MAKING LOVE WITH THE LAND Essays

Joshua Whitehead performs his essay collection, which centers on Indigiqueer identity and living in an Indigenous body in a society formed by colonialism. Each essay intimately presents Whitehead's perspective as he examines the world around him and works through discussions of intergenerational trauma, the stories of his family's experience, and Indigenous storytelling. Whitehead contemplates his personal pain and transformation, what they mean for him as an artist, and how these ideas will change his writing. Throughout the collection, much of Whitehead's narration remains emotionally removed from his deeply personal subject matter. With his stunning prose, Whitehead's writing is emotionally complex, but his performance is a missed opportunity to echo that emotional depth for listeners. K.D.W. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2023]