“I know as much as I know,” Baumann writes, “and still get out of bed.” And what trauma survivor has not marveled at this exact triumph? Thornwork is a rigorous examination of the abundant hunger of both body and psyche to survive. This generous work confronts our inadequacies: “We have tried you, language, but you have not been enough,” and nurtures even our most imperceptible efforts: “I have almost enough courage to keep walking myself home,” offering a realistic portrait of the untidy endeavor to persevere.

ISBN: 9781625578150