Ai was well known for her dramatic monologues. She'd write in the voice of a wide variety of people, often those in struggling positions. She also sought to imagine and display the inner thoughts of politicians and celebrities, here and there.
About 20 years ago, I attended a reading that Ai gave, and I was struck by her noting that her books sold well for her publisher W. W. Norton & Company. I've rarely heard poets speak of good sells the way she did.
I wanted to make sure I noted Ai's works as I considered Black Book History.
Related:
• Black Book History, February 2019
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