Praise

An autobiographical work of poetry and confession by an author with multiple personalities.

This book of poems is intriguingly introduced by the author’s partner, Christopher. He seems as much devotee as devoted, and he frankly discusses the process of accepting Ittermann’s polyamorous (meaning multiple sexual partners) lifestyle and multifaceted mind. It’s this mind—more than the earnest self-realization or the harrowing journey of redemption and rehabilitation—that is the book’s real fascination. Inspired by a traumatic event in childhood, these multiple personalities began to manifest themselves in the author when she was 16 years old. There are apparently 70 different personalities contained within her, and incredibly, many have past lives. Ittermann guides the reader through this Byzantine array of personae, all of whom have been bit by the poetry bug, in a series of chapters, each dedicated to a specific consciousness. Collectively they are known as the Crisses, and the parts that form this gestalt include such beloved stock characters as the wounded child and dark poet, and more unconventional identities like the elf and dragoness. Some personalities write confessionals about parenthood or polyamory, and some about elfhood. Skeptical readers may test the poetry’s diversity of form, lexical variety and tone, but the voices and styles are genuinely varied, and the subject matter personality-appropriate. There is a genuine lyricism and heart in most of the poems, but some overly sincere clunkers too. The book is somewhat unhinged by the inclusion of too many elements (comics, poetry, self-help, etc.), but its genres are individually fascinating, just like the many voices. The Crissing Link is, in the end, interesting poetry masquerading as pop-psychological inspiration. Some will wish it kept a more consistent format, but how could it?

A wholly unique combination of genres and voices. -- Kirkus Discoveries review re: Poetic License

Retort: In all fairness, I only walk people through about 18 of my "residents", 17 of whom have been bit by the poetry bug ;) The other one expressed himself in comics. The original intention was to create a poetry book, so the other 54 abstained or have nothing to add to the book directly. --The Crisses