{"id":5773,"date":"2024-09-12T12:19:20","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T17:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/?p=5773"},"modified":"2026-01-08T16:09:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:09:49","slug":"book-review-wager-by-adele-elise-williams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/book-review-wager-by-adele-elise-williams\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: Wager by Adele Elise Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By: Annaliese Kunst<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5778\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Adele-Elise-Williams-Author-Photo-251x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Adele-Elise-Williams-Author-Photo-251x300.png 251w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Adele-Elise-Williams-Author-Photo-125x150.png 125w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Adele-Elise-Williams-Author-Photo.png 481w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wager <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">is former <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cream City Review <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">contributor Adele Elise Williams<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019 debut poetry book\u2014as well as the finalist for the 2024 Miller Williams Poetry Prize, in which the judge Patricia Smith described it as \u201ccrafted to upend the familiar.\u201d This poetry collection explores how trauma fundamentally changes you and the harsh realities of an idealized Americana with meticulous wit and technique.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">As soon as you start reading <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wager, <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Williams shocks and challenges the readers in a seemingly simple poem titled \u201cDeconstructing Milk Baby\u201d that grows more complex the deeper you look. The poem explores Williams\u2019 life in a simplified, broken-down formula, using repetition of \u201cand before that\u201d to mimic the cyclical nature of life. The strongest part of this piece is when Williams showcases how everything that happens to us\u2014from birth to death\u2014changes who we are:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><em>\u201cI was a floor baby \/ but not a bed baby \/ so my head \/ is round-round \/ like an acorn, \/ like a bumble \/ that bothered, left \/ and then returned. \/ Full circle. Full of resentment. \/ I am full of resentment \/ and fear. \/ I am a fearful woman.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Williams returns once more to playing with time and childhood anxieties in \u201cEarliest-Memory Prompt.\u201d The use of enjambment within this poem forces the reader to keep reading and reading at a quick pace, just how these images flash through the speaker\u2019s mind when she recalls her childhood. Additionally, the speed and pace at which she guides you through the poem leads you to gut-wrenching, subtly confronting lines. Flashes of tense childhood memories scar and leave an imprint on you, yet as Williams showcases here, are just another snapshot within your mind. The poem ends on a shocking note that perfectly displays how traumatic memories as a young child shape you:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><em>\u201cthe heavy buckle snapping like cherry the dropping \/ like pop, no, it is like how at the deepest moment \/ of fucking i wanna die.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The poem, \u201cGod Bless Americana,\u201d details how the very core of Americana is brutalized violence while also portraying the inequalities between social classes within this culture. Yet, there is a clash between the speaker and blue-collar culture when it comes to roadkill and violence. The word choice of this poem is terrific, consistently using words associated with death and gore to immerse us into the rural South setting, while also juxtaposing it alongside mentions of Santa and G.I. Jane to showcase the clash between the speaker and this culture of violence.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">The combination of violence and childlike imagery is what really sells the poem:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><em>\u201cand after the neighbor shut her \/ door I ran to the beg, my hatchet at the ready, gripped cautiously \/ like a child\u2019s hand while street crossing and when I opened \/ the trashed bag there was nothing inside but blood, blood.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">In \u201cTake the Bait\u201d Williams explores how harsh realities of her childhood still persist within her. She details rescuing animals and trying to help them, but always ended up slowly watching them die. This cycle led to morbid curiosity and obsession, which later leaked into other aspects of her life, such as writing poetry. The violence of roadkill and animals being hunted and consumed is examined and paralleled alongside fruit imagery and innocence, perfectly showing Williams\u2019 addictive nature.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><em>\u201cI remember caring \/ for the strays under our house\u2026 I\u2019d watch them die, always sick \/ and on the edge\u2026 Was my \/ interest in salvage or ritual?&#8230; I remember \/ the first poem I ever wrote \u2014 a clementine \/ full-faced and gasping as I consumed it \/ whole, even the juices hollered.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-bottom=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-bottom=\"0px\" data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is impossible to easily and quickly summarize <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wager <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">in a few words, just as it is impossible to write a review on it and capture all of its themes. Williams is a firecracker and has an expert understanding of pacing, switching from lingering on a graphic image or skipping right past it like it was an everyday image. She keeps readers on their toes and her collection begs you to keep reading until all the poems have been consumed whole.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245417&quot;:true,&quot;134245418&quot;:false,&quot;134245529&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:4278190080,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335572071&quot;:0,&quot;335572072&quot;:0,&quot;335572073&quot;:0,&quot;335572075&quot;:0,&quot;335572076&quot;:0,&quot;335572077&quot;:0,&quot;335572079&quot;:0,&quot;335572080&quot;:0,&quot;335572081&quot;:0,&quot;335572083&quot;:0,&quot;335572084&quot;:0,&quot;335572085&quot;:0,&quot;335572087&quot;:0,&quot;335572088&quot;:0,&quot;335572089&quot;:0,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789802&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789810&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;,&quot;469789814&quot;:&quot;nil&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wager <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">is out now to read. Copies are available from University of Arkansas Press. You can order a copy here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uapress.com\/product\/wager\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.uapress.com\/product\/wager\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5774\" src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams-223x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams-223x300.png 223w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams-761x1024.png 761w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams-112x150.png 112w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams-768x1033.png 768w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams-1080x1453.png 1080w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/creamcityreview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/421\/2024\/09\/Wager-Cover-Adele-Elise-Williams.png 1115w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><strong>Bios:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div><span id=\"x_docs-internal-guid-af3e0ed1-7fff-9707-93d0-92041e71c860\"><strong>Adele Elise Williams<\/strong> is the author of WAGER selected by Patricia Smith for the 2024 Miller Williams Poetry Series, and with Dana Levin, is co-editor of <em>Bert Meyers: On the Life and Work of an American Master<\/em>. Her critical and creative work explore how gender performances and working-class ecologies engage qualitative designations of high and low art, specifically within confessionally-innovative poetics.<\/span><\/div>\n<p data-ccp-border-between=\"0px none #000000\" data-ccp-padding-between=\"0px\"><strong>Annaliese Kunst\u00a0<\/strong>is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is majoring in English with a focus in Creative Writing. Previously, she was the Managing Editor of 51ÁÔÆæ&#8217;s undergraduate literary magazine <em>Furrow.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Annaliese Kunst Wager is former Cream City Review contributor Adele Elise Williams\u2019 debut poetry book\u2014as well as the finalist for the 2024 Miller Williams Poetry Prize, in which the judge Patricia Smith described it as \u201ccrafted to upend the familiar.\u201d This poetry collection explores how trauma fundamentally changes you and the harsh realities of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37709,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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